German submarine U-3508

German submarine U-3508 was a Type XXI U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. The Elektroboote submarine was laid down on 25 July 1944 at the Schichau-Werke yard at Danzig, launched on 22 September 1944, and commissioned on 2 November 1944 under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Detlef von Lehsten. He commanded the U-boat during her entire career, being promoted to Kapitänleutnant during this time. She did not carry out any patrols during her career, spending her entire time in training after having been allocated to the 8th U-boat Flotilla until 15 February 1945, then to the 5th U-boat Flotilla from 16 February until 4 March.

Design
Like all Type XXI U-boats, U-3508 had a displacement of 1621 t when at the surface and 1819 t while submerged. She had a total length of 76.70 m, a beam of 8 m, and a draught of 6.32 m. The submarine was powered by two MAN SE supercharged six-cylinder M6V40/46KBB diesel engines each providing 4000 PS, two Siemens-Schuckert GU365/30 double-acting electric motors each providing 5000 PS, and two Siemens-Schuckert silent running GV232/28 electric motors each providing 226 PS.

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 15.6 kn and a submerged speed of 17.2 kn. When running on silent motors the boat could operate at a speed of 6.1 kn. When submerged, the boat could operate at 5 kn for 340 nmi; when surfaced, she could travel 15500 nmi at 10 kn. U-3508 was fitted with six 53.3 cm torpedo tubes in the bow and four 2 cm C/30 anti-aircraft guns. She could carry twenty-three torpedoes or seventeen torpedoes and twelve mines. The complement was five officers and fifty-two men.

Fate
She was sunk on 4 March 1945 in an Allied bombing raid by US Eighth Air Force B-24 Liberator bombers on Wilhelmshaven.