U-264

Type

VIIC

Ordered

15 Aug 1940

Laid down

21 Jun 1941

Bremer Vulkan-Vegesacker Werft, Bremen-Vegesack (werk 29)

Launched

2 Apr 1942

Commissioned

22 May 1942

Oblt. Hartwig Looks

Commanders

22 May 1942

19 Feb 1944

Kptlt. Hartwig Looks

Career
5 patrols

22 May 1942	-	31 Oct 1942	8. Flottille (training)
1 Nov 1942	-	19 Feb 1944	6. Flottille (active service)

Successes

3 ships sunk, total tonnage 16,843 GRT

Fate

Sunk at 1707hrs on 19 Feb, 1944 in the North Atlantic, in position 48.31N, 22.05W, by depth charges from the British sloops HMS Woodpecker and HMS Starling. 52 survivors (no casualties).

Loss position

See the 3 ships hit by U-264 - View the 5 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-264 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Kreuzotter (15 Nov 1942 - 20 Nov 1942)
   Delphin (23 Jan 1943 - 9 Feb 1943)
   Rochen (9 Feb 1943 - 20 Feb 1943)
   Without name (15 Apr 1943 - 18 Apr 1943)
   Specht (19 Apr 1943 - 4 May 1943)
   Fink (4 May 1943 - 6 May 1943)
   Naab (12 May 1943 - 15 May 1943)
   Donau 2 (15 May 1943 - 19 May 1943)
   Mosel (19 May 1943 - 23 May 1943)
   Igel 2 (15 Feb 1944 - 17 Feb 1944)
   Hai 1 (17 Feb 1944 - 19 Feb 1944)

Attacks on this boat

20 Nov 1942
The attack on 20 Nov. 1942 in the mid-Atlantic in position 49.25N, 45.25W, by depth charges from the Norwegian corvette HNoMSPotentilla credited with sinking U-184, was actually against U-264, inflicting no damage. (Sources: 1993-01-01, FDS/NHB)

17 Apr 1943
Depth charging by escorts of convoy HX-233 caused heavy damage. The crew managed to make repairs and continue the patrol. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 282)

4 Oct 1943
While being refuelled by U-460 (together with U-422 and U-455) the boats were attacked by Avenger aircraft from the escort carrier USS Card. After putting up heavy flak the smaller VIIC boats dived, leaving U-460 on the surface. She was destroyed when she also tried to dive. U-264 was attacked later in the day and once again escaped, but this time serious damage forced a return to base. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 429)

3 recorded attacks on this boat.

General notes on this boat

26 Feb 1943. With the help of code-breaking the British heavy cruiser HMS Sussex found the German blockage-runner Hohenfriedberg and forced her to scuttle. Oblt Looks in U-264 launched a full salvo at the cruiser, but missed, and Sussex left the area unscathed. Looks then rescued the entire crew of the scuttled vessel, arriving safely at St Nazaire on 5 March.

Schnorchel-fitted U-boat
This boat was fitted with a Schnorchel underwater-breathing apparatus in December 1943. Read more about the Schnorchel and see list of fitted boats.

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-264 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.