The Type VII submarines were German submarines that began construction in 1936. Type VII units ranged in length from 64.5 m to 77.6 m, width from 5.85 m to 7.3 m, and underwater displacement from 725 tons to 1,181 tons, depending on the subtype. Type VII submarines had a maximum surface speed of approximately 17 knots and a maximum underwater speed of approximately 8 knots. The main armament of the ship was 5 torpedo tubes of 533 mm caliber with a total number of 11-16 torpedoes. Additional armament consists of 1 88mm gun, 1 20mm anti-aircraft gun or 1 37mm gun, and 2 backup 20mm guns on the VII D and VII F. The Type VII U-boats were a major part of the German armament in the Battle of the Atlantic and produced the most produced series of U-boats in the history of the Navy! In the course of serial production, several subtypes of this class of ships were created. Chronologically, the first was the Type VII A, which was based on the Type III U-boot, which dates back to the First World War. Initially, it had only 4 torpedo tubes, but its design features were very good - for example, it could dive very quickly. Another type was the Type VII B, which had more spare torpedoes and had a smaller turning radius underwater. It also had a modified steering system. The Type VII C was most often produced, which was equipped with an active sonar, but also had a greater maximum depth of immersion, and in the first versions of this subtype - a significantly increased range (up to approximately 16,300 km on the surface). ). The next version was the Type VII D, which served as an underwater minesweeper. The last to enter service was the Type VII F, which was designed as an underwater torpedo boat with the addition of a special section behind the conning tower. However, due to changes in the realities of combat operations in the Atlantic and the reduction of the patrol range of other submarines, the Type VII F was used as an underwater transport. Between 1936 and 1945, about 700 submarines of this type were built.
