U-boat patrols

Patrol info for U-256


DepartureArrival / FateDuration
25 Jan 1944Brest22 Mar 1944Brest58 days

Commander

Officers *


Oblt. Wilhelm Brauel

Daily positions, sinkings and allied attacks during the patrol of U-256


We have daily positions for all 58 days on this patrol.

Wolfpack operations during this patrol

U-256 operated with the following Wolfpacks during this patrol
   Igel 2 (3 Feb 1944 - 17 Feb 1944)
   Hai 1 (17 Feb 1944 - 22 Feb 1944)
   Preussen (22 Feb 1944 - 13 Mar 1944)

Ships hit by U-256 during this patrol

Date U-boat Commander Name of ship Tons Nat. ConvoyMap
20 Feb 1944U-256Wilhelm Brauel HMS Woodpecker (U 08)1,300brON-224A
 1,300

1 ship sunk (1,300 tons).

Legend
We have a picture of this vessel.

General Events during this patrol

We have no events listed for this patrol.

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Attacks on U-256 during this patrol

11 Mar 1944
Aircraft attack, aircraft crashed:
Canadian Wellington HF311 (407 Sqn RCAF/H, pilot P/O E.M. O’Donnell)

21.48 hrs, mid Atlantic: the boat saw an aircraft crash into the sea close by. U-256 had not fired at the aircraft, which apparently crashed due to pilot error while preparing for a low level attack. All six aircrew were lost.

(Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)

19 Mar 1944
Aircraft attack, aircraft shot down:
British B-24 Liberator (224 Sqn RAF/F, pilot F/L R. Dunn)

23.12 hrs, Bay of Biscay, inbound: the boat was illuminated by Leigh Light and strafed by the Liberator. The Germans observed hits to the right wing from the 20mm AA guns and to the fuselage from the 37mm AA gun. Flames were seen coming from the bomb bay and one of the engines as the aircraft passed astern of U-256 at a height of 50m (55 yards), dropping six depth charges, and then crashed into the sea 500m (547 yards) away, killing the crew of ten. The boat was not damaged in the attack.

(Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)

About this data
If you believe we have missed an attack on a German U-boat in this listing please let us know.


See all patrols for U-256


* These are officers that later became commanders themselves.

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