The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of 2,800 to 3,200 metric horsepower (2,060 to 2,350 kW; 2,760 to 3,160 shp) for use while surfaced, two AEG GU 460/8–27 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750 metric horsepower (550 kW; 740 shp) for use while submerged.

U-711 attacked and sank the British corvette HMS Bluebell on 17 February 1945 with an acoustic homing torpedo, which caused her depth charges to explode.

[2] On 4 May 1945, U-711 was sunk by aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm during Operation Judgement, an attack on the depot ships MS Black Watch and Senja anchored at Kilbotn, south of Harstad, Norway.

A few hours earlier Lange had received the signal from Germany ordering all U-boats to cease attacks on allied shipping.

[3] U-711 took part in nine wolfpacks, namely: As no-one was killed during her sinking, U-711's location is not classed as a war grave and is a well-documented dive-site, lying at approximately 50 meters depth and only having minor damage.