View source for German submarine U-108 (1940)

{{Short description|German World War II submarine}}
{{other ships|German submarine U-108}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=German type IX submarine docking at Tromsø, Norway, during World War II (NH 71374).jpg
|Ship image size=300px
|Ship caption=''U-108'' in Germany, winter 1940-1941, the man in white cap is korvetten-captain [[Klaus Scholtz]]
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
|Ship country=[[Nazi Germany]]
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|Nazi Germany|naval}}
|Ship name=''U-108''
|Ship ordered=24 May 1938	
|Ship builder=[[DeSchiMAG]] [[AG Weser]], [[Bremen]]
|Ship yard number=971
|Ship laid down=27 December 1938
|Ship launched=15 July 1940
|Ship commissioned=22 October 1940
|Ship homeport=[[Lorient]], France
|Ship motto=
|Ship nickname=
|Ship identification=
|Ship fate=Sunk, 11 April 1944{{sfn|Kemp|1997|p=183}} 
|Ship notes=
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship class=[[Type IX submarine|Type IXB]] [[U-boat]]
|Ship displacement=
*{{convert|1051|t|LT|abbr=on|lk=on}} surfaced
*{{convert|1178|t|LT|abbr=on}} submerged
|Ship length=
*{{convert|76.50|m|ft|abbr=on|0}} [[o/a]]
*{{convert|58.75|m|ftin|abbr=on}} [[pressure hull]]
|Ship beam=
*{{convert|6.76|m|ftin|abbr=on}} o/a
*{{convert|4.40|m|ftin|abbr=on}} pressure hull
|Ship height={{convert|9.60|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship draught={{convert|4.70|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship power=
*{{convert|4400|PS|kW bhp|abbr=on}} (diesels)
*{{convert|1000|PS|kW shp|-1|abbr=on}} (electric)
|Ship propulsion=
*2 shafts
*2 × [[diesel engine]]s
*2 × [[Motor-generator|electric motors]]
|Ship speed=
*{{convert|18.2|kn|lk=in}} surfaced
*{{convert|7.3|kn}} submerged
|Ship range=
*{{convert|12,000|nmi|lk=in|abbr=on}} at {{convert|10|kn}} surfaced
*{{convert|64|nmi|abbr=on}} at {{convert|4|kn}} submerged
|Ship test depth=
*{{convert|230|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship complement=48 to 56 officers and ratings
|Ship time to activate=
|Ship sensors=
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament=
*6 × [[torpedo tube]]s (4 bow, 2 stern)
*22 × {{convert|53.3|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} [[torpedo]]es
*1 × [[10.5 cm SK C/32 naval gun|{{convert|10.5|cm|in|sp=us|abbr=on}} SK C/32]] [[deck gun]] (180 rounds)
*1 × [[3.7 cm SK C/30|{{convert|3.7|cm|in|sp=us|abbr=on}} SK C/30]] AA gun
*1 × twin [[2 cm FlaK 30]] AA guns
|Ship motto=
|Ship nickname=
|Ship notes=
}}
{{Infobox service record
|is_ship=yes
|label=
|partof=
*[[2nd U-boat Flotilla]]
*22 October 1940 – 31 August 1943
*[[8th U-boat Flotilla]]
*1 September 1943 – 11 April 1944
|codes=M 27 968
|commanders=
*''[[K.Kapt.]]'' [[Klaus Scholtz]]
*22 October 1940 – 14 October 1942
*''[[Oblt.z.S.]]'' Erich Hilsenitz
*October 1942 (in representation)
*''K.Kapt.'' [[Ralf-Reimar Wolfram]]
*15 October 1942 – 16 October 1943
*''Oblt.z.S.'' Matthias Brünig
*17 October 1943 – 11 April 1944
|operations=*11 patrols:
*1st patrol:
*15 February – 12 March 1941
*2nd patrol:
*3 April – 2 May 1941
*3rd patrol:
*25 May – 7 July 1941
*4th patrol:
*19 August – 21 October 1941
*5th patrol:
*9 – 25 December 1941
*6th patrol:
*8 January – 4 March 1942
*7th patrol:
*30 March – 1 June 1942
*8th patrol:
*13 July – 10 September 1942
*9th patrol:
*25 October – 26 November 1942
*10th patrol:
*20 January – 24 February 1943
*11th patrol:
*1 April – 16 May 1943
|victories=
*25 merchant ships sunk <br />({{GRT|118,722}})
*1 auxiliary warship sunk <br />({{GRT|16,644}})
}}
|}

'''German submarine ''U-108''''' was a [[Type IX submarine#Type IXB|Type IXB]] [[U-boat]] of [[Nazi Germany]]'s ''[[Kriegsmarine]]'' that operated during [[World War II]]. She was laid down at [[DeSchiMAG]] [[AG Weser]] in [[Bremen]] as yard number 971 on 27 December 1938, [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] on 15 July 1940 and [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] on 22 October under ''[[Korvettenkapitän]]'' [[Klaus Scholtz]].

Her service career began with training as part of the [[2nd U-boat Flotilla]]; she went on to operations, first with the second flotilla, then with the [[8th U-boat Flotilla]].

==Design==
[[Type IXB submarine]]s were slightly larger than the original [[Type IXA submarine|Type IX submarines]], later designated IXA. ''U-108'' had a displacement of {{convert|1051|t|LT}} when at the surface and {{convert|1178|t|LT}} while submerged.{{sfn|Gröner|1991|p=68}} The U-boat had a total length of {{convert|76.50|m|ft|abbr=on|0}}, a [[pressure hull]] length of {{convert|58.75|m|ftin|abbr=on}}, a [[beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|6.76|m|ftin|abbr=on}}, a height of {{convert|9.60|m|ftin|abbr=on}}, and a [[draught (ship)|draught]] of {{convert|4.70|m|ftin|abbr=on}}. The submarine was powered by two [[MAN SE|MAN]] M 9 V 40/46 [[supercharged]] four-stroke, nine-cylinder [[diesel engine]]s producing a total of {{convert|4400|PS|kW shp|-1}} for use while surfaced, two [[Siemens-Schuckert]] 2 GU 345/34 [[Motor–generator|double-acting electric motors]] producing a total of {{convert|1000|PS|kW shp|-1}} for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two {{convert|1.92|m|ft|abbr=on|0}} [[propeller]]s. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to {{convert|230|m}}.{{sfn|Gröner|1991|p=68}}

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of {{convert|18.2|kn}} and a maximum submerged speed of {{convert|7.3|kn}}.{{sfn|Gröner|1991|p=68}} When submerged, the boat could operate for {{convert|64|nmi}} at {{convert|4|kn}}; when surfaced, she could travel {{convert|12000|nmi}} at {{convert|10|kn}}. ''U-108'' was fitted with six {{convert|53.3|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} [[torpedo tube]]s (four fitted at the bow and two at the stern), 22 [[torpedo]]es, one [[10.5 cm SK C/32 naval gun|{{convert|10.5|cm|in|2|abbr=on}} SK C/32 naval gun]], 180 rounds, and a [[3.7 cm SK C/30|{{convert|3.7|cm|in|sp=us|abbr=on}} SK C/30]] as well as a [[2 cm FlaK 30|{{convert|2|cm|in|sp=us|abbr=on}} C/30]] anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a [[Ship's company|complement]] of forty-eight.{{sfn|Gröner|1991|p=68}}

==Service history==

''U-108'' carried out eleven war patrols, during which she sank 25 ships, a total of {{GRT|118,722|disp=long}} and one auxiliary warship of 16,644 GRT. She was a member of seven [[wolfpack (naval tactic)|wolfpack]]s.

===First, second and third patrols===
The boat's first patrol began with her departure from [[Wilhelmshaven]] on 15 February 1941. She crossed the [[North Sea]] and entered the Atlantic via the [[GIUK gap|gap]] between [[Iceland]] and the [[Faroe Islands]], sinking ''Texelstroom'' on 22 February. She also sank ''Effna'' on the 28th; both ships met their end south of Iceland. She then docked at [[Lorient]] in occupied France on 12 March. She would be based there for most of the rest of her career.

Her second foray involved the sinking of {{HMS|Rajputana}}, an armed merchant cruiser, west of [[Reykjavík]] on 13 April 1941. The Convoy Commodore, four officer and 35 ratings were lost. After this patrol the crew of U-108 made an image of a polar bear at conning tower.<ref>[https://dzen.ru/a/ZeYjZ7G9_HBSpjlH dzen.ru // "Коронованная" подлодка: что за субмарина запечатлена на снимке?] {{In lang|ru}}</ref>

''U-108'' sank ''Michael E.'', a [[CAM ship]] or 'Catapult Armed Merchantman', on the submarine's third patrol on 2 June 1941 in mid-Atlantic. She went on to sink ''Baron Nairn'' west of [[Cape Race]] (eastern [[Newfoundland and Labrador]]) on the eighth; the Greek ship ''Dirphys'' {{convert|600|nmi|lk=in}} east of [[Newfoundland (island)|Newfoundland]], also on 8 July; ''Christian Krohg'' on the tenth; ''Ellinco'' on the 25th; ''Nicholas Pateras'' on the same day and ''Toronto'' on 1 July. The latter was a weather ship situated about {{convert|500|nmi|abbr=on}} north of the [[Azores]].

===Fourth, fifth and sixth patrols===
Patrol number four saw the boat covering the 'gap' between South America and Africa. She departed Lorient on 19 August 1941 and returned on 21 October.

She sank ''Cassequel'', a neutral vessel, on 14 December 1941, {{convert|160|nmi|abbr=on}} southwest of [[Cape St. Vincent]], Portugal and ''Ruckinge'' ([[convoy HG 76]]) on the 19th, west of Lisbon as part of her fifth sortie.

The boat's sixth patrol, as part of [[Operation Drumbeat]] (''Paukenschlag''),<ref>Gannon, Michael - ''Operation Drumbeat - the dramatic true story of Germany's first U-boat attacks along the American coast in World War II'', 1990, Harper and Row publishers, {{ISBN|0-06-016155-8}}, p. 202 .</ref> took her to the east coast of North America where she was again successful, sinking ''Ocean Venture'' on 8 February 1942, ''Tolosa'' on the ninth and ''Blink'' on the 12th. The U-boat had chased ''Blink'', which had been hit by a non-detonating torpedo, the two vessels almost collided; which was only avoided by ''U-108'' diving underneath the merchant ship.

She also sank ''Ramapo'' northwest of [[Bermuda]] on 16 February and ''Somme'' on the 18th.

===Seventh, eighth and ninth patrols===
The boat's seventh patrol was almost as successful as her sixth, sinking ''Modesta'' on 25 April 1942, ''Mobiloil'' on the 29th (which required a total of six torpedoes and many rounds from the 20mm and 37mm guns), ''Afoundria'' on 5 May, and ''Abgara'' a day later. On the return leg she encountered ''Norland'' on the 25th.

More success pennants were flown after her eighth patrol, which took her almost to the northern South American coast. She sank ''Tricula'' on 3 August 1942, ''Breňas'' on the seventh and ''Louisiana'' on the 17th.

The boat's ninth patrol was carried out in opposition to Operation ''[[Operation Torch|Torch]]'', (the Allied landings in North Africa). The submarine had not been off [[Morocco]] long before being attacked by a destroyer. The damage incurred was serious enough that the boat was obliged to return to France where effective repairs might be carried out.

===Tenth and eleventh patrols===
The U-boat was attacked by a [[PBY Catalina|Catalina]] flying boat of [[No. 202 Squadron RAF|202 Squadron]] RAF on 10 February 1943 west of Morocco. The damage to the forward torpedo tubes forced her to return to Lorient.

In her last operational patrol, she departed Lorient on 1 April 1943. On 19 April 1943 ''U-108'' sank the American ''Robert Gray'' from Convoy HX 234. The Liberty ship had straggled behind the convoy. She was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (50°57′N 40°35′W) with the loss of all 62 crew. ''U-108'' was attacked by a destroyer on the 22nd but continued to shadow [[Convoy ON (S) 4]] southeast of [[Greenland]]. She arrived at [[Stettin]] (now [[Szczecin]], Poland) on 16 May. She was eventually bombed and sunk there on 11 April, before being raised and decommissioned on 17 July 1944. She was ultimately scuttled there on 24 April 1945.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uboat.net/boats/u108.htm
 |title=The Type IXB boat U-108
 |last=Helgason
 |first=Guðmundur
 |website=German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net
 |access-date=19 June 2014
}}</ref>

===Wolfpacks===
''U-108'' took part in seven [[Wolfpack (naval tactic)|wolfpack]]s, namely.
* [[Wolfpack West|West]] (2 – 20 June 1941)
* Seeräuber (14 – 22 December 1941)
* Schlagetot (9 – 17 November 1942)
* Rochen (28 January - 11 February 1943)
* Adler (7 – 13 April 1943)
* Meise (13 – 27 April 1943)
* Specht (27 – 28 April 1943)

==Summary of raiding history==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"|-
!Date
!Ship
!Nationality
!Tonnage<ref group=Note name=tonnage>Merchant ship tonnages are in [[gross register tons]]. Military vessels are listed by tons [[displacement (ship)|displacement]].</ref>
!Fate<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://uboat.net/boats/successes/u108.html
 |title=Ships hit by U-108
 |last=Helgason
 |first=Guðmundur
 |website=German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net
 |access-date=19 June 2014
}}</ref>
|-
|align="right"|22 February 1941
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in February 1941#22 February|''Texelstroom'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|Netherlands}}
|align="right"|1,617
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|28 February 1941
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in February 1941#28 February|''Effna'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}
|align="right"|6,461
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|13 April 1941
|align="left" |[[SS Rajputana|HMS ''Rajputana'']]
|align="left" |{{navy|United Kingdom}}
|align="right"|16,644
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|2 June 1941
|align="left" |{{SS|Michael E||2}}
|align="left" |{{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}
|align="right"|7,628
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|8 June 1941
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in June 1941#8 June|''Baron Nairn'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}
|align="right"|3,164
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|8 June 1941
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in June 1941#8 June|''Dirphys'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|Greece}}
|align="right"|4,240
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|10 June 1941
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in June 1941#10 June|''Christian Krohg'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|Norway}}
|align="right"|1,992
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|25 June 1941
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in June 1941#25 June|''Ellinco'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|Greece}}
|align="right"|3,059
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|25 June 1941
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in June 1941#25 June|''Nicholas Pateras'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|Greece}}
|align="right"|4,362
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|1 July 1941
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in July 1941#1 July|''Toronto City'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}
|align="right"|2,486
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|14 December 1941
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in December 1941#14 December|''Cassequel'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|Portugal}}
|align="right"|4,751
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|19 December 1941
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in December 1941#19 December|''Ruckinge'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|United Kingdom|civil}} 
|align="right"|2,869
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|2 February 1942
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in February 1942#2 February|''Ocean Venture'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|United Kingdom|civil}} 
|align="right"|7,174
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|9 February 1942
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in February 1942#9 February|''Tolosa'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|Norway}}
|align="right"|1,974
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|12 February 1942
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in February 1942#12 February|''Blink'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|Norway}}
|align="right"|2,701
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|16 February 1942
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in February 1942#16 February|''Ramapo'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|Panama}}
|align="right"|2,968
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|18 February 1942
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in February 1942#18 February|''Somme'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}
|align="right"|5,265
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|25 April 1942
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in April 1942#25 April|''Modesta'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}
|align="right"|3,849
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|29 April 1942
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in April 1942#29 April|''Mobiloil'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|United States|1912}}
|align="right"|9,925
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|5 May 1942
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in May 1942#5 May|''Afoundria'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|United States|1912}}
|align="right"|5,010
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|6 May 1942
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in May 1942#6 May|''Abgara'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|Latvia}}
|align="right"|4,422
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|20 May 1942
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in May 1942#20 May|''Norland'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|Norway}}
|align="right"|8,134
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|3 August 1942
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in August 1942#3 August|''Tricula'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}
|align="right"|6,221
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|7 August 1942
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in August 1942#7 August|''Breñas'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|Norway}}
|align="right"|2,687
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|17 August 1942
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in August 1942#17 August|''Louisiana'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|United States|1912}}
|align="right"|8,587
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|19 April 1943
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in April 1943#19 April|''Robert Gray'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|United States|1912}}
|align="right"|7,176
|align="left" |Sunk
|}

==References==

===Notes===
{{Reflist|group=Note}}

===Citations===
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{Refbegin}}
*{{cite book | last1 = Busch | first1 = Rainer | last2 = Röll | first2 = Hans-Joachim | translator-last = Brooks | translator-first = Geoffrey | title = German U-boat commanders of World War II : a biographical dictionary | publisher = Greenhill Books, Naval Institute Press | location = London, Annapolis, Md | year = 1999 | isbn = 1-55750-186-6 }}
*{{cite book
|last1=Busch
|first1=Rainer
|last2=Röll
|first2=Hans-Joachim
|title=Deutsche U-Boot-Verluste von September 1939 bis Mai 1945
|trans-title=German U-boat losses from September 1939 to May 1945
|series=Der U-Boot-Krieg
|volume=IV
|publisher=Mittler
|location=Hamburg, Berlin, Bonn
|year=1999
|isbn=3-8132-0514-2
|language=de

}}
*{{cite book
|last1=Gröner
|first1=Erich
|last2=Jung
|first2=Dieter
|last3=Maass
|first3=Martin
|translator-last1=Thomas
|translator-first1=Keith
|translator-last2=Magowan
|translator-first2=Rachel
|year=1991
|title=German Warships 1815–1945, U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels
|volume=2
|location=London
|publisher=Conway Maritime Press
|isbn=0-85177-593-4
|ref=CITEREFGröner1991
}}
*{{cite book
|last=Kemp
|first=Paul
|title=U-Boats Destroyed, German Submarine Losses in the World Wars
|year=1997
|publisher=Arms and Armour
|isbn=1-85409-515-3
}}

{{Refend}}

==External links==
*{{Cite web
 |url=http://uboat.net/boats/u108.htm
 |title=The Type IXB boat U-108
 |last=Helgason
 |first=Guðmundur
 |website=German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net
 |access-date=2 February 2015
}}
*{{cite web
|url=http://www.u-boot-archiv.de/dieboote/u0108.html
|title=''U 108''
|last=Hofmann
|first=Markus
|website=Deutsche U-Boote 1935-1945 - u-boot-archiv.de
|language=de
|access-date=2 February 2015
}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2014}}
{{German Type IXB submarines}}
{{April 1944 shipwrecks}}
{{April 1945 shipwrecks}}

{{coord|47.22|N|22.40|W|display=title|source:dewiki}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:U0109}}
[[Category:German Type IX submarines]]
[[Category:U-boats commissioned in 1940]]
[[Category:U-boats sunk in 1944]]
[[Category:U-boats sunk by US aircraft]]
[[Category:World War II submarines of Germany]]
[[Category:1940 ships]]
[[Category:Ships built in Bremen (state)]]
[[Category:U-boats sunk by depth charges]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in April 1944]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in April 1945]]