U-706

Type

VIIC

Ordered

9 Oct 1939

Laid down

22 Nov 1940

H C Stülcken Sohn, Hamburg (werk 766)

Launched

24 Nov 1941

Commissioned

16 Mar 1942

Kptlt. Alexander von Zitzewitz

Commanders

16 Mar 1942 - 3 Aug 1943

KrvKpt. Alexander von Zitzewitz

Career

5 patrols

16 Mar 1942 - 30 Sep 1942 5. Flottille (training)
1 Oct 1942 - 3 Aug 1943 3. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

3 ships sunk for a total of 18,650 GRT

Fate

Sunk at 0630hrs on 3 Aug, 1943 in the Bay of Biscay north-west of Cape Ortegal, Spain, in position 46.15N, 10.25W, by depth charges from a US Liberator aircraft (A/S Sqdn. 4) and a Canadian Hampden aicraft (RCAF 415/A). 42 dead and 4 survivors.

See the 3 ships hit by U-706 - View the 5 war patrols

The Canadian Hampden aircraft dropped the first chages on the boat and the US Liberator then sank the damaged boat.

Wolfpack operations

U-706 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Luchs (1 Oct 1942 - 7 Oct 1942)
   Panther (8 Oct 1942 - 14 Oct 1942)
   Falke (31 Dec 1942 - 22 Jan 1943)
   Jaguar (12 Jan 1943 - 23 Jan 1943)
   Seeteufel (22 Mar 1943 - 30 Mar 1943)
   Lowenherz (3 Apr 1943 - 7 Apr 1943)
   Lerche (11 Apr 1943 - 13 Apr 1943)
   Meise (20 Apr 1943 - 27 Apr 1943)
   Specht (27 Apr 1943 - 4 May 1943)

Attacks on this boat

2 Aug 1943
The boat attacked by an unknown aircraft at 0900 hrs. 20 minutes later the boat reported the aircraft was still shadowing the boat. (Sources: BDU KTB)

1 recorded attack on this boat.

Men lost from the boat

27 Oct 1942
The same day 3 men were washed overboard from the U-706, 2 men died but the third was saved by U-463. [Leutnant zur See Erich Eichmann, see right, Matrosenobergefreiter Ralf Köhler]