U-278

Type

VIIC

Ordered

10 Apr, 1941

Laid down

26 Mar, 1942

Bremer Vulkan, Bremen-Vegesack (werk 43)

Launched

2 Dec, 1942

Commissioned

16 Jan, 1943

Oblt. Joachim Franze

Commanders

16 Jan, 1943 - 8 May, 1945

Kptlt. Joachim Franze

Career

7 patrols

16 Jan, 1943 - 30 Sep, 1943  8. Flottille (training)
1 Oct, 1943 - 31 Dec, 1943  7. Flottille (front boat)
1 Jan, 1944 - 31 Aug, 1944  11. Flottille (front boat)
1 Sep, 1944 - 8 May, 1945  13. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

1 ship sunk for a total of 7.177 GRT
1 warship sunk for a total of 1.810 tons

Fate

Transferred to Loch Eriboll, Scotland, on 19 May, 1945 for Operation Deadlight.

Operation Deadlight (post-war Allied operation, info)
Sunk on 31 Dec, 1945 in position 55.44N, 08.21W.

See the 2 ships hit by U-278 - View the 7 war patrols

Attacks on this boat

3 May, 1944
A British Martlet (Wildcat) aircraft attacked the boat. The aircraft was from the British escort carrier HMS Activity but was not shot down as the Germans reported. (Sources: fazzinpa@muohio.edu, http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=9584)

1 recorded attacks on this boat.

Schnorchel-fitted U-boat
This boat was fitted with a Schnorchel underwater-breathing apparatus in October 1944. 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-278 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.