U-459

Type

XIV

Ordered

14 May, 1940

Laid down

22 Nov, 1940

Deutsche Werke, Kiel (werk 290)

Launched

13 Sep, 1941

Commissioned

15 Nov, 1941

Kptlt. Georg von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff

Commanders

15 Nov, 1941 - 24 Jul, 1943

KrvKpt. Georg von Wilamowitz-Möllendorf

Career

6 patrols

15 Nov, 1941 - 31 Mar, 1942  4. Flottille (training)
1 Apr, 1942 - 31 Oct, 1942  10. Flottille (front boat)
1 Nov, 1942 - 24 Jul, 1943  12. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

No ships sunk or damaged

Fate

The boat was scuttled on July 24, 1943 after being attacked by two British Wellington aircraft (Sqdn. 172/Q & 547/V) near Cape Ortegal, Spain, in position 45.53N, 10.38W. 19 dead and 41 survivors.

View the 6 war patrols

Attacks on this boat

30 May, 1943
Aircraft attack, aircraft shot down:British Whitley Z9440 (10 OTU RAF/N, pilot Sgt L.O. Slade)

At 12.00 hours, the inbound boat was attacked by the Whitley northwest of Cape Finisterre. The aircraft (misidentified as Lancaster) made two attack runs dropping four bombs on each run, but without results. The Whitley was hit by AA fire in the second attack and had later to ditch with engine problems. The six crewmen were rescued by a Spanish trawler.

(Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)

30 May, 1943
At 12.22 hours, the boat was attacked by a British Liberator aircraft (224 Sqdn RAF/G, pilot F/L M.J. Elworthy) northwest of Cape Finisterre. The aircraft made three attacks and dropped 10 depth charges, but the boat escaped damage while the Liberator was damaged by AA fire. (Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)

24 Jul, 1943
A British Wellington (Sqdn 172/Q) attacked the boat and flew into its new heavy AA guns and finally crashed into the startboard side of the boat!

The crew of U-459 had to cut the aircraft wreck from the tower and in doing do found 3 unexploded depth charges which was decided to drop into the sea at high speed. One or more exploded causing severe damages to the boat. Another British Wellington aircraft (Sqdn 547/V) then arrived and dropped more depth charges on the already damaged boat.

3 recorded attacks on this boat.

General notes on this boat

On 10 Jan 1943 the Italian submarine CAGNI refueled from the U-459 near the Qquator before returning to base at Bordeaux.

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-459 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.