U-508

Type

IXC

Ordered

20 Oct 1939

Laid down

24 Sep 1940

Deutsche Werft AG, Hamburg (werk 304)

Launched

30 Jul 1941

Commissioned

20 Oct 1941

Oblt. Georg Staats

Commanders

20 Oct 1941

12 Nov 1943

Kptlt. Georg Staats (Knights Cross)

Career
6 patrols

20 Oct 1941	-	30 Jun 1942	4. Flottille (training)
1 Jul 1942	-	12 Nov 1943	10. Flottille (active service)

Successes

14 ships sunk, total tonnage 74,087 GRT

Fate

Sunk on 12 November 1943 in the Bay of Biscay north of Cape Ortegal, Spain, in position 46.00N, 07.30W, by depth charges from a US Liberator aircraft (VB-103 USN/C). 57 dead (all hands lost).

Loss position

See the 14 ships hit by U-508 - View the 6 war patrols

Attacks on this boat and other events

26 Feb 1943
On the fifth day outbound from France through the Bay of Biscay the boat was attacked by a British B-24 Liberator bomber (RAF Sqdn 224, pilot Peter J. Cundy) and seriously damaged. Left unable to dive, KL Staats ran west to get out of Allied range and asked for help. U-508 made port on 15 March 1943. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 200)

12 Nov 1943
The sinking of U-508 Aircraft attack, aircraft shot down: American PB4Y-1 Liberator (VB-103 USN/C, pilot Lt jg Ralph B. Brownell, USNR)

At 01.16 hrs the last message from the aircraft reported they were attacking a U-boat 95 miles (153 km) north of Cape Penas, Spain. A search later found two oil slicks in the area, one larger than the other, about five miles (8.5 km) apart. The aircraft's attack on the outbound U-508 apparently resulted in their mutual destruction, leaving no survivors. Losses were 57 from the U-boat, ten from the plane. (Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)

2 recorded attacks on this boat.

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-508 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.