German submarine U-107 (1940)
U-107 at Lorient in November 1941. |
Career (Nazi Germany) |
|
Name: |
U-107 |
Ordered: |
24 May 1938 |
Builder: |
AG Weser, Bremen |
Yard number: |
970 |
Laid down: |
6 December 1939 |
Launched: |
2 July 1940 |
Commissioned: |
8 October 1940 |
Homeport: |
Lorient, France |
Fate: |
Sunk, 18 August 1944 |
General characteristics |
Class and type: |
Type IXB U-boat |
Displacement: |
Surfaced 1,051 tons tons
submerged 1,178 tons |
Length: |
Overall 76.5 m (251 ft 0 in)
pressure hull 58.7 m (192 ft 7 in) |
Beam: |
Overall 6.8 m (22 ft 4 in)
pressure hull 4.4 m (14 ft 5 in) |
Draught: |
4.7 m (15 ft 5 in) |
Propulsion: |
Diesel/Electric, 2x MAN M9V40/46 supercharged 9 cylinder diesel engines, 4,400 hp (3,300kW), 2xSSW GU345/34 double acting electric motors, 1000 hp (740kW) |
Speed: |
Surfaced 18.2 knots (33.7 km/h)
submerged 7.3 knots (13.5 km/h) |
Range: |
Surfaced: 22,200 km (12,000 nmi) at 10 knots
submerged: 118 km (64 nmi) at 4 knots (7 km/h) |
Test depth: |
230 m (750 ft) |
Complement: |
48 to 56 officers & ratings |
Armament: |
- 6 x 53.3cm Torpedo tubes: 4 bow, 2 stern (22 torpedoes)
- 1 x Utof 105/45 with 110 rounds
|
|
Service record |
Part of: |
Kriegsmarine:
2nd U-boat Flotilla |
Commanders: |
KrvKpt. Günther Hessler
(October 1940–December 1941)
Kptlt. Harald Gelhaus
(December 1941–June 1943)
Kptlt. Volker Simmermacher
(July 1943–August 1944)
Ltn. Karl-Heinz Fritz
(August 1944) |
Operations: |
16 patrols |
Victories: |
37 ships sunk for a total of 207,375 gross register tons (GRT)
2 auxiliary warships sunk for a total of 10,411 GRT
3 ships damaged for a total of 17,392 GRT
1 auxiliary warship (USS Rapidan) of 8,246 GRT damaged |
German submarine U-107 was a Type IXB U-boat of the German Kriegsmarine that operated during World War II. Between January 1941 and August 1944, U-107 sailed on 16 active patrols at a time when a U-boat averaged a lifespan of seven to 10 patrols. During that time, U-107 sank 39 Allied ships, in addition to damaging another four ships. It was launched on 2 July 1940, based at 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]
Combat actions
First patrol
- On 3 February 1941: Sank the British 4,683 ton Empire Citizen, sailing with convoy OB-279
- On 3 February 1941: Sank the British 5,051 ton Crispin, a member of convoy OB-279
- On 6 February 1941: Sank the Canadian 3,388 ton Maplecourt, part of convoy SC-20
- On 23 February 1941: Sank the British 5,360 ton SS Manistee, from convoy OB-288
Second patrol, its deadliest and most successful period
- On 8 April 1941: Sank the British 3,316 ton Helena Margareta, sailing with convoy OG-57
- On 8 April 1941: Sank the British 3,829 ton Eskdene, a member of convoy OG-57
- On 9 April 1941: Sank the British 4,671 ton Harpathian, part of convoy OG-57
- On 9 April 1941: Sank the British 8,516 ton Duffield, from convoy OG-57
- On 21 April 1941: Sank the British 10,305 ton Calchas
- On 30 April 1941: Sank the British 7,417 ton Lassell, sailing with convoy OB-309
- On 17 May 1941: Sank the Dutch 8,029 ton Marisa
- On 18 May 1941: Sank the British 8,286 ton Piako
- On 27 May 1941: Sank the British 5,108 ton Colonial, a member of convoy OB-318
- On 28 May 1941: Sank the Greek 3,748 ton Papalemos
- On 31 May 1941: Sank the British 5,664 ton Sire
- On 1 June 1941: Sank the British 5,013 ton Alfred Jones, part of convoy OB-320
- On 8 June 1941: Sank the British 7,816 ton Adda, from convoy OB-323
- On 13 June 1941: Sank the Greek 4,981 ton Pandias
Third patrol
- On 24 September 1941: Sank the British 3,790 ton Dixcove, sailing with convoy SL-87
- On 24 September 1941: Sank the British 4,876 ton Lafian, a member of convoy SL-87
- On 24 September 1941: Sank the British 4,975 ton John Holt, part of convoy SL-87
Fifth patrol
- On 31 January 1942: Sank the British 7,419 ton San Arcadio
- On 6 February 1942: Sank the American 3,431 ton Major Wheeler
- On 21 February 1942: Damaged the Norwegian 10,068 ton Egda, from convoy ON-65
Sixth patrol
- On 29 May 1942: Sank the British 2,599 ton Western Head
- On 1 June 1942: Sank the Panamanian 4,536 ton Bushranger
- On 7 June 1942: Sank the American 3,910 ton Castilla
- On 8 June 1942: Sank the American 3,249 ton Suwied
- On 10 June 1942: Sank the American 2,606 ton Merrimack
- On 19 June 1942: Sank the American 35 ton sailing ship Cheerio
- On 26 June 1942: Sank the Dutch 10,083 ton Jagersfontein
Eighth patrol
- On 3 September 1942: Sank the British 4,172 ton Hollinside
- On 3 September 1942: Sank the British 4,393 ton Penrose
- On 7 October 1942: Sank the British 14,943 ton Andalucia Star
Ninth patrol
- On 22 February 1943: Sank the British 7,801 ton Roxborough Castle
- On the 4 of March, 1943, came under attack from an unidentified Allied aircraft. U-107 was moderately damaged by the attack. At 14:35 on 22 March 1943, came under attack from another unidentified Allied aircraft, but was not damaged.
- On 13 March 1943: Sank the British 2,352 ton Oporto, sailing with convoy OS-44
- On 13 March 1943: Sank the British 4,592 ton Marcella, a member of convoy OS-44
- On 13 March 1943: Sank the Dutch 4,990 ton Sembilangan, part of convoy OS-44
- On 13 March 1943: Sank the British 5,442 ton SS Clan Alpine, from convoy OS-44
Tenth patrol
- On 1 May 1943: Sank the British 12,411 ton Port Victor
Eleventh patrol
- On 28 August 1943: Damaged the American 7,176 ton SS Albert Gallatin
- On 11 September 1943: Damaged the American 8,246 ton USS Rapidan (AO-18) sailing with convoy NG-385
Fifteenth patrol
- After three patrols with no result, U-107 damaged the American 148 ton Lark on 13 June 1944.
Sixteenth and final patrol
References
- Notes
- Bibliography
See also