| Navy | The Royal Dutch Navy |
| Type | Submarine |
| Class | K VIII |
| Pennant | |
| Built by | Koninklijke Maatschappij De Schelde (Vlissingen (Flushing), The Netherlands) |
| Ordered | 27 Jun 1917 |
| Laid down | 31 Oct 1917 |
| Launched | 28 Mar 1922 |
| Commissioned | 15 Sep 1922 |
| End service | 18 May 1942 |
| History | At the outbreak of the Second World War K VIII is kept in reserve at Soerabaya. Decommissioned on 18 May 1942 at Fremantle, Australia. |
Commands listed for HNMS K VIII
Please note that we're still working on this section
and that we only list Commanding Officers for the duration of the Second World War.
| Commander | From | To | ||
| 1 | luitenant ter zee 2e klasse (Lt.) Baron Carel Wessel Theodorus van Boetzelaer, RNN | 1 Nov 1939 | 9 Dec 1939 | |
| 2 | luitenant ter zee 2e klasse (Lt.) Baron Carel Wessel Theodorus van Boetzelaer, RNN | 6 Jul 1940 | 14 Oct 1940 | |
| 3 | luitenant ter zee 1e klasse (Lt.Cdr.) Martinus Albert Johan Derksema, | 7 Jan 1942 | 11 Apr 1942 | |
| 4 | luitenant ter zee 2e klasse (Lt.) Jacobus Wilhelmus Caspers, RNN | 11 Apr 1942 | 18 May 1942 | |
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Notable events involving K VIII include:
7 Jan 1942
HrMs K VIII is commissioned from reserve with part of the crew of the damaged HrMs K XIII. She now started a period of trials and exercises off Surabaya in which she also served as A/S target on several occasions.
21 Feb 1942
HrMs K VIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN) was ordered to take up a patrol position to the North of Madura together with HrMs K IX (Lt. J.W. Caspers, RNN).
K VIII however had to return to Surabaya several times for repairs. Her machinery was in a bad state and in need of a refit.
26 Feb 1942
HrMs K VIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN) is ordered to a patrol position to the South-East of Bawean.
28 Feb 1942
HrMs K VIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN) is ordered to patrol to the North-West of Surabaya. Despite several serious defects K VIII remained on patrol.
2 Mar 1942
HrMs K VIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN) arrived at Surabaya to take on board fuel for the escape to Colombo. After fuelling K VIII anchored off Surabaya.
3 Mar 1942
HrMs K VIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN) departed Surabaya roads for Geraldton, Australia. She had on board 2 naval officers for passage.
6 Mar 1942
HrMs K VIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN) passed Strait Atlas Southbound.
7 Mar 1942
At 1230 hours (zone -7.5), in position 12°27'N, 115°38'E, HrMs K VIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN) sighted three Japanese tankers escorted by two Japanese destroyers. They were however not within attacking range.
12 Mar 1942
HrMs K VIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN) arrived at Geraldton, Australia.
16 Mar 1942
HrMs K VIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN) departed Geraldton for Fremantle.
17 Mar 1942
HrMs K VIII (Lt.Cdr. M.A.J. Derksema, RNN) arrived at Fremantle. The old submarine was not used any further because of the many defects she has.