German submarine U-4707

Postwar photo of Hecht (S 171), (former Type XXIII submarine U-2367). An identical sister ship of U-4707.
History
Nazi Germany
Name: U-4707
Ordered: 7 July 1944
Builder: Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel
Yard number: 949
Laid down: 5 December 1944
Launched: 25 January 1945
Commissioned: 20 February 1945
Fate: Scuttled on 5 May 1945
General characteristics (XXIII)
Type: Type XXIII
Displacement:
  • 232 t (228 long tons) (surfaced)
  • 256 t (252 long tons) (submerged)
Length:
  • 34.14 m (112 ft 0 in) (o/a)
  • 26.00 m (85 ft 4 in) (p/h)
Beam:
  • 3.02 m (9 ft 11 in) (o/a)
  • 3.00 m (9 ft 10 in) (p/h)
Draught: 3.66 m (12 ft 0 in)
Installed power:
  • 575 PS (423 kW; 567 shp) (diesel drive)
  • 572 PS (421 kW; 564 shp) (standard electric drive)
  • 35 PS (26 kW; 35 shp) (silent electric drive)
Propulsion:
Speed:
  • 9.7 knots (18 km/h; 11 mph) (surfaced)
  • 12.5 knots (23 km/h; 14 mph) (submerged)
Range:
  • 2,600 nautical miles (4,800 km; 3,000 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) surfaced
  • 194 nmi (359 km; 223 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Test depth: 180 m (590 ft)
Complement: 14–18
Armament:
Service record
Part of:
Commanders:
Operations: No patrols
Victories: None

German submarine U-4707 was a Type XXIII U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. She was ordered on 7 July 1944, and was laid down on 5 December 1944 at Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel, as yard number 949. She was launched on 25 January 1945 and commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Joachim Leder on 20 February 1945.[2]

Design

Like all Type XXIII U-boats, U-4707 had a displacement of 232 tonnes (228 long tons) when at the surface and 256 tonnes (252 long tons) while submerged. She had a total length of 34.14 m (112 ft 0 in) (o/a), a beam width of 3.02 m (9 ft 11 in) (o/a), and a draught depth of 3.66 m (12 ft 0 in). The submarine was powered by one MWM six-cylinder RS134S diesel engine providing 575 metric horsepower (423 kilowatts; 567 shaft horsepower), one AEG GU4463-8 double-acting electric motor electric motor providing 572 PS (421 kW; 564 shp), and one BBC silent running CCR188 electric motor providing 35 PS (26 kW; 35 shp).[3]

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 9.7 knots (18.0 km/h; 11.2 mph) and a submerged speed of 12.5 knots (23.2 km/h; 14.4 mph). When submerged, the boat could operate at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) for 202 nautical miles (374 km; 232 mi); when surfaced, she could travel 2,600 nautical miles (4,800 km; 3,000 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph). U-4707 was fitted with two 53.3 cm (21.0 in) torpedo tubes in the bow. She could carry two preloaded torpedoes. The complement was 14 — 18 men.[3] This class of U-boat did not carry a deck gun.[2]

Service history

On 5 May 1945, U-4707 was scuttled in Gelting Bay near Gelting as part of Operation Regenbogen. The wreck was later raised and broken up.[2]

See also

References

  1. Helgason, Guðmundur. "Joachim Leder". Uboat.net. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-4707". Uboat.net. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  3. 1 2 "Type XXIII U-Boat Coastal Submarine (1944)". Military Factory. Retrieved 30 April 2016.

Bibliography

  • Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999). German U-boat commanders of World War II : a biographical dictionary. Translated by Brooks, Geoffrey. London, Annapolis, Md: Greenhill Books, Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-186-6. 
  • Gröner, Erich; Jung, Dieter; Maass, Martin (1991). U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels. German Warships 1815–1945. 2. Translated by Thomas, Keith; Magowan, Rachel. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-593-4. 
  • Williamson, Gordon (2005). Wolf Pack: The Story of the U-boat in World War II. Osprey. ISBN 1841768723. 

External links

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