Hans-Adolf Schweichel
(U-105, U-173)
Ordered 15 Dec 1937
Laid down 22 May 1939 F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel (werk 596)
Launched 21 Mar 1940
Commissioned 27 Apr 1940 Kptlt. Harro von Klot-Heydenfeldt
27 Apr 1940 - 1 Jul 1940 Kptlt. Harro von Klot-Heydenfeldt
27 Apr 1940 - 1 Jun 1940 7. Flottille (training)
1 Jun 1940 - 1 Jul 1940 7. Flottille (active service)
Successes 1 ship sunk, total tonnage 5,219 GRT
Sunk on 1 July 1940 in the North Atlantic south-west of Ireland, in position 48.33N, 10.26W, by depth charges from the British destroyer HMS Vansittart. 43 dead (all hands lost). (FDS/NHB, December 1985).
See the 1 ships hit by U-102 - View the 1 war patrol
Previously recorded fate
This boat had always been assumed missing somewhere in the Bay of Biscay after 30 June, 1940. (Postwar assessment)
General notes on this boat
The boat had just sunk the steamer Clearton from the convoy SL-36 when she was herself sunk shortly afterwards.
Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-102 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.
There was another U-102 in World War One
That boat was launched from its shipyard on 12 May 1917 and commissioned into the Imperial Navy on 18 Jun 1917. The Naval war in WWI was brought to an end with the Armistice signed on 11 Nov, 1918. Read about SM U 102 during WWI.
Related page:
U-boats Missing in Action.