The German U-boat U-103, a Type IXB submarine of the Kriegsmarine, served with distinction during World War II. Commissioned on July 5, 1940, under the command of Korvettenkapitän Viktor Schütze, U-103 completed 11 combat patrols and sank 46 ships, totaling 238,944 gross register tons, while damaging three others. During its fourth patrol, lasting from April 1 to July 12, 1941, U-103 operated off the West African coast for 103 days, marking its most extended and successful mission. This patrol resulted in the sinking of several significant vessels, including the Polyana and the Radames. After completing its combat role, U-103 transitioned to training duties in March 1944 and remained active until its crew scuttled it in Kiel on May 3, 1945, to prevent capture by advancing Allied forces.