Nummer: 27307


Area : Indic Ocean
Sea area : Arabian Gulf
Date of attack : 09.02.1944
Time of attack : 19:06
Nationality of U-boat : German
U-boat : U 188
Commander : Lüdden
Grid : MQ 5868
presumed target type : Steam Freighter
presumed tonnage : 7500 BRT
presumed result : sunk
Number of torpedoes/mines : 2
Used weapon(s) : Torpedo(es)
Date of observation : 09.02.1944
Time of observation : 18:00
Nationality of target : Norwegian
Actual type of target : Steam Freighter
Name of target : Viva
Year of launch : 1938
Actual tonnage : 3798 BRT
Actual result : sunk
Position of target : 12.30n 57.50e
Footnote : "Viva" had left Cochin on Febr. 5-1944 with 6000 tons general cargo for the U. K. via Aden. Torpedoed twice and sunk. The 1st torpedo hit in the deeptank on the starboard side, completely destroying the starboard motor lifeboat, but after the engine had been stopped the remaining 3 boats were lowered and quickly rowed away. "Viva" had a heavy list to starboard, and about 25 minutes later the 2nd torpedo hit in the aft port side resulting in an enormous explosion (it's possible the boilers exploded at the same time), and within about 7 minutes, the ship was gone. Sinking time given as 22:22 h. All 37 crewmen survived and were picked up in 13 00N 55 20E by the British S/S Marwarri in the morning of Febr. 11.