German submarine U-104 (1940)

U-104 was a German Type IXB U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. Her keel was laid down on 15 December 1939 by DeSchiMAG AG Weser of Bremen as yard number 966, she was launched on 26 June 1940, and commissioned on 2 October 1940 under the command of Kapitänleutnant Joachim Deecke.

U-104 conducted six war patrols. During these patrols, she sank four ships for a total of 14,966 gross register tons (GRT) and damaged one ship of 7,068 GRT.

Service History

Following commissioning, U-104 was assigned to the 2nd U-boat Flotilla. Her initial patrols were conducted in the North Atlantic. Notably, on 20 January 1941, she sank the British freighter Sesostris.

In March 1941, U-104 was transferred to the 1st U-boat Flotilla. Her subsequent patrols took her further afield.

Fate

U-104 was sunk on 25 June 1941 in the North Atlantic southwest of Iceland, in position 59°20′N 22°18′W, by depth charges from the British corvette HMS Arbutus. All 48 crew members perished.

Summary of Successes

• Sesostris (British freighter) - Sunk 20 January 1941
• Baltistan (British freighter) - Sunk 23 May 1941
• Elmdene (British freighter) - Sunk 23 May 1941
• Wellfield (British freighter) - Sunk 23 May 1941
• Sangara (British freighter) - Damaged 23 May 1941