German World War II submarine
German submarine "U-709" was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's "Kriegsmarine" during World War II.
Ordered 15 August 1940, she was laid down on 5 May 1941 and launched 14 April 1942. From 12 August 1942 until 2 December 1943, she was commanded by "Oberleutnant zur See" Karl-Otto Weber, then captained by "Oberleutnant zur See" Rudolf Ites from 3 December 1943 until 19 February 1944.
Design.
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. "U-709" had a displacement of when at the surface and while submerged. She had a total length of , a pressure hull length of , a beam of , a height of , and a draught of . The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of for use while surfaced, two Garbe, Lahmeyer &amp; Co. RP 137/c double-acting electric motors producing a total of for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to .
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of and a maximum submerged speed of . When submerged, the boat could operate for at ; when surfaced, she could travel at . "U-709" was fitted with five torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes, one SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and two twin C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.
Service history.
"U-709" had five patrols, from 12 August 1942 until 19 February 1944, during which she sank no ships.
Wolfpacks.
"U-709" took part in 15 wolfpacks, namely:
Fate.
She has been missing since 19 February 1944 in the North Atlantic. No explanation for its loss. All hands lost.
Previously recorded fate.
She was sunk by depth charges from the US destroyer escorts , , and while on patrol north of the Azores; all 52 crew members aboard died. Niestlé disagreed with the official account, and conclude that there was no known explanation for its loss. 
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