Name U-1108 Yard number 230 Commissioned 18 November 1944 Launched 5 September 1944 Builder Nordseewerke | Ordered 2 April 1942 Laid down 20 September 1943 Construction started 20 September 1943 Draft 4.74 m | |
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Fate Surrendered on 9 May 1945 Part of 8th U-boat Flotilla, 5th U-boat Flotilla | ||
German submarine U-1108 was a Type VIIC/41 U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.
Contents
She was ordered on 2 April 1942, and was laid down on 20 September 1943 at Nordseewerke, Emden, as yard number 230. She was launched on 5 September 1944 and commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Wolf Wigand on 18 November 1944.
Design
German Type VIIC/41 submarines were preceded by the heavier Type VIIC submarines. U-1108 had a displacement of 769 tonnes (757 long tons) when at the surface and 871 tonnes (857 long tons) while submerged. She had a total length of 67.10 m (220 ft 2 in), a pressure hull length of 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in), an overall beam of 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in), a height of 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in), and a draught of 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in). 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 SSW GU 343/38-8 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750 metric horsepower (550 kW; 740 shp) for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.23 m (4 ft) propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 230 metres (750 ft).
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph). When submerged, the boat could operate for 80 nautical miles (150 km; 92 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 8,500 nautical miles (15,700 km; 9,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). U-1108 was fitted with five 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes or 26 TMA or TMB Naval mines, one 8.8 cm (3.46 in) SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and an anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and fifty-two.
Service history
On 9 May 1945, U-1108 surrendered at Horten, Norway, before participating in any war patrols. She was later transferred to Lisahally on 27 May 1945. U-1108 would be spared, for a time, becoming a British N-class submarine, used for testing and then in May 1949, broken up at Briton Ferry, Wales.