Unterseeboot 107

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Unterseeboot 107 or U-107 was one of the most successful Nazi German U-Boats to serve during World War II. Between January, 1941, and August, 1944, U-107 sailed on 16 active patrols at a time when a U-Boat would average a lifespan of 7 to 10 patrols. During that time, U-107 sank 39 allied ships, in addition to seriously damaging another 4 ships. It was first launched on July 2nd, 1940, based out of the U-Boat port of Lorient, with a crew of 53 under the initial command of Günther Hessler. It was later commanded, in order, by Harald Gelhaus, Valker Simmermacher, and its final commander, Karl Heinz Fritz. [1]

1 Combat actions
2 Further reading

[edit] Combat actions

[edit] First patrol

On 3rd February, 1941: Sank the British 4,683 ton Empire Citizen, sailing with convoy OB-279
On 3rd February, 1941: Sank the British 5,051 ton HMS Crispin, a member of convoy OB-279
On 6th February, 1941: Sank the Canadian 3,388 ton Maplecourt, part of convoy SC-20
On 23rd February, 1941: Sank the British 5,360 ton HMS Manistee, from convoy OB-288

[edit] Second patrol, its deadliest and most successful period

On 8th April 1941: Sank the British 3,316 ton Helena Margareta, sailing with convoy OG-57
On 8th April, 1941: Sank the British 3,829 ton Eskdene, a member of convoy OG-57
On 9th April, 1941: Sank the British 4,671 ton Harpathian, part of convoy OG-57
On 9th April, 1941: Sank the British 8,516 ton Duffield, from convoy OG-57
On 21st April, 1941: Sank the British 10,305 ton Calchas
On 30th April, 1941: Sank the British 7,417 ton Lassell, sailing with convoy OB-309
On 17th May, 1941: Sank the Dutch 8,029 ton Marisa
On 18th May, 1941: Sank the British 8,286 ton Piako
On 27th May, 1941: Sank the British 5,108 ton Colonial, a member of convoy OB-318
On 28th May, 1941: Sank the Greek 3,748 ton Papalemos
On 31st May, 1941: Sank the British 5,664 ton Sire
On 1st June, 1941: Sank the British 5,013 ton Alfred Jones, part of convoy OB-320
On 8th June, 1941: Sank the British 7,816 ton Adda, from convoy OB-323
On 13th June, 1941: Sank the Greek 4,981 ton Pandias

[edit] Third patrol

On 24th September, 1941: Sank the British 3,790 ton Dixcove, sailing with convoy SL-87
On 24th September, 1941: Sank the British 4,876 ton Lafian, a member of convoy SL-87
On 24th September, 1941: Sank the British 4,975 ton John Holt, part of convoy SL-87

[edit] Fifth patrol

On 31st January, 1942: Sank the British 7,419 ton San Arcadio
On 6th February, 1942: Sank the American 3,431 ton Major Wheeler
On 21st February, 1942: Damaged the Norwegian 10,068 ton Egda, from convoy ON-65

[edit] Sixth patrol

On 29th May, 1942: Sank the British 2,599 ton Western Head
On 1st June, 1942: Sank the Panamanian 4,536 ton Bushranger
On 7th June, 1942: Sank the American 3,910 ton Castilla
On 8th June, 1942: Sank the American 3,249 ton Suwied
On 10th June, 1942: Sank the American 2,606 ton Merrimack
On 19th June, 1942: Sank the American 35 ton Cheerio
On 26th June, 1942: Sank the Dutch 10,083 ton Jagersfontein

[edit] Eighth patrol

On 3rd September, 1942: Sank the British 4,172 ton Hollinside
On 3rd September, 1942: Sank the British 4,393 ton Penrose
On 7th October, 1942: Sank the British 14,943 ton Andalucia Star

[edit] Ninth patrol

On 22nd February, 1943: Sank the British 7,801 ton Roxborough Castle
On the 4th of March, 1943, came under attack from an unidentified allied aircraft. U-107 was moderately damaged by the attack. At 1435 HRS on the 22nd of March, 1943, came under attack from another unidentified allied aircraft, but was not damaged.
On 13th March, 1943: Sank the British 2,352 ton Oporto, sailing with convoy OS-44
On 13th March, 1943: Sank the British 4,592 ton Marcella, a member of convoy OS-44
On 13th March, 1943: Sank the Dutch 4,990 ton Sembilangan, part of convoy OS-44
On 13th March, 1943: Sank the British 5,442 ton Clan Alpine, from convoy OS-44

[edit] Tenth patrol

On 1st May, 1943: Sank the British 12,411 ton Port Victor

[edit] Eleventh patrol

On 28th August, 1943: Damaged the American 7,176 ton Albert Gallatin
On 11th September, 1943: Damaged the American 8,246 ton USS Rapidan, sailing with convoy NG-385

[edit] Fifteenth patrol

After three patrols with no result, U-107 damaged the American 148 ton Lark on June 13th, 1944.

[edit] Sixteenth and final patrol

On August 16th, 1944, U-107 departed on active patrol. It was intercepted by allied forces, and was sunk by depth charge by RAF Squadron 201 on August 18th, 1944. All hands were lost.

[edit] Further reading