U-1208

Type

VIIC

Ordered

2 Apr 1942

Laid down

30 Jun 1943

F Schichau GmbH, Danzig (werk 1578)

Launched

13 Jan 1944

Commissioned

6 Apr 1944

Korvkpt. Georg Hagene

Commanders

6 Apr 1944

24 Feb 1945

KrvKpt. Georg Hagene

Career
1 patrol

6 Apr 1944	-	31 Dec 1944	8. Flottille (training)
1 Jan 1945	-	24 Feb 1945	11. Flottille (active service)

Successes

1 ship sunk, total tonnage 1,644 GRT

Fate

Sunk on 24 February 1945 in the English Channel south-east of Isles of Scilly, in position 49.51.783N, 06.06.750W, by depth charges from the British frigates HMS Duckworth and HMS Rowley. 49 dead (all hands lost). (Axel Niestlé, June 2009).

Loss position

See the 1 ships hit by U-1208 - View the 1 war patrol

The wreck lies in 81m deep waters with a 45 degree list to portside. On 18 July 2008 ROV Zeus located the wreck.

Reassessment of this wreck
See the following PDF file for more details on further research into this wreck.

Niestlé, Axel (2010). The ‘Atlas’ Survey Zone: Deep-sea Archaeology & U-boat Loss Reassessments, Oddyssey Marine Exploration

Previously recorded fate

Sunk on 20 Feb, 1945 in the North Atlantic south of Waterford in position 51.48N, 07.07W by depth charges from the British sloop HMS Amethyst. (British U-boat tracking room, 1945)
Notes. This attack however resulted in the sinking of U-1276.

Schnorchel-fitted U-boat

This boat was fitted with a Schnorchel underwater-breathing apparatus and sailed equipped with it in January 1945 but it was of course installed prior to that date.

Read more about the Schnorchel and see list of fitted boats.

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-1208 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.