German submarine U-1208 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was laid down on 30 June 1943 by Schichau-Werke, Danzig as yard number 1578, launched on 13 January 1944 and commissioned on 6 April 1944 under Korvettenkapitän Georg Hagene.
| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany | |
| Name | U-1208 |
| Ordered | 2 April 1942 |
| Builder | Schichau-Werke, Danzig |
| Yard number | 1578 |
| Laid down | 30 June 1943 |
| Launched | 13 January 1944 |
| Commissioned | 6 April 1944 |
| Fate | Sunk on 24 February 1945 in the North Atlantic in position 49°51′N 06°06′W / 49.850°N 6.100°W / 49.850; -6.100, by depth charges from HMS Duckworth and HMS Rowley. |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Type VIIC submarine |
| Displacement | |
| Length |
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| Beam |
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| Draught | 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in) |
| Installed power |
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| Propulsion |
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| Speed |
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| Range | |
| Test depth |
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| Complement | 4 officers, 40–56 enlisted |
| Armament |
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| Service record[1] | |
| Part of: |
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| Identification codes: | M 05 973 |
| Commanders: |
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| Operations: |
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| Victories: |
1 merchant ship sunk (1,644 GRT) |
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-1208 had a displacement of 769 tonnes (757 long tons) when at the surface and 871 tonnes (857 long tons) while submerged.[2] 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), a 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 AEG GU 460/8–27 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).[2]
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).[2] 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-1208 was fitted with five 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes, one 8.8 cm (3.46 in) SK C/35 naval gun, (220 rounds), one 3.7 cm (1.5 in) Flak M42 and two twin 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.[2]
The boat's career began with training at 8th U-boat Flotilla on 6 April 1944, followed by active service on 1 January 1945 as part of the 11th Flotilla for the remainder of her short service.
In one patrol she sank one merchant ship, for a total of 1,644 gross register tons (GRT).
U-1208 took part in no wolfpacks.
U-1208 was sunk on 24 February 1945 in the English Channel in position 49°51′N 06°06′W / 49.850°N 6.100°W / 49.850; -6.100, by depth charges from Royal Navy frigates HMS Duckworth and HMS Rowley. All hands were lost.
| Date | Ship Name | Nationality | Tonnage (GRT) |
Fate[3] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 February 1945 | Oriskany |  United Kingdom
|
1,644 | Sunk |