U-108 Feb. 16th 10:00 - Patrol 15 - CG79
After having patrolled our assigned area west of the Canaries we proceeded towards Gibraltar. Picked up a westbound convoy out of Gib. Put two into a Large Merchant but was forced down by a Flower class. While trying to avoid it we sighted a Dido right behind us at the opposite side of the convoy - 2.500 meters distance. Sent off a fast one before side-stepping the Flower. We heard it hit just as we went for the deep.
Surfaced after some hours and picked up the trail again. Crew is exhausted so torpedo reloading takes frustratingly long times. Overtook the damaged Large Merchant and sunk it with the deck gun. Went on again. As soon as we had contact with the convoy Swordfish aircrafts approached from the South - not sure if they discovered us. Surfaced again after 40 minutes. After a little while the brain started working. Swordfishes..?....That would mean a carrier. Went down again and turned South. Oh, yes! Picked up warships approaching - fast.....Surfaced and set full speed in the dirction of the signal. After a little while - ship ohoy. Through the UZO could be seen nicely lined up a Fiji, a Southampton and an ---- Illustrious ---- intercepting course - flank ahead.....four torps left.