German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-407 had a displacement of 769t when at the surface and 871t while submerged. She had a total length of 67.1m (220.1feet), a pressure hull length of 50.5m (165.7feet), a beam of 6.2m (20.3feet), a height of 9.6m (31.5feet), and a draught of 4.74m (15.55feet). The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of NaNPS for use while surfaced, two Siemens-Schuckert GU 343/38–8 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750PS for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.23abbr=onNaNabbr=on 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-407 was fitted with five 53.30NaN0 torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes, one 8.82NaN2 SK C/35 naval gun, (220 rounds), one 3.7cm (01.5inches) Flak M42 and two 2sp=usNaNsp=us C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.
The boat's career began with training at 5th U-boat Flotilla on 18 December 1941, followed by active service on 1 September 1942 as part of the 9th Flotilla. However, within 3 months, she transferred for operations in the Mediterranean with 29th Flotilla for the remainder of her service.
In twelve patrols she sank three merchant ships – including the 19,627 GRT on 11 November 1942 – for a total of, one merchant ship damaged of, two warships damaged (17,900 tons) and one more ship a total loss ; however, some sources claim that the damaging of is to be attributed to the Italian submarine Ascianghi.[1]
U-407 took part in four wolfpacks, namely:
U-407 was sunk on 19 September 1944 in the Mediterranean in position, south of Milos, 36.45°N 57°W, by depth charges from, and . There were five crew members killed.
| Date | Ship Name | Nationality | Tonnage[2] | Fate[3] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 November 1942 |  United Kingdom | 19,627 | Sunk | ||
| 23 July 1943 | 8,800 | Damaged | |||
| 28 November 1943 | 9,100 | Damaged | |||
| 27 February 1944 | Rod el Farag |  Egypt | 55 | Sunk | |
| 29 February 1944 | Ensis | United Kingdom | 6,207 | Damaged | |
| 16 April 1944 | Meyer London |  United States | 7,210 | Sunk | |
| 16 April 1944 | Thomas G. Masaryk | United States | 7,176 | Total loss |