U-663

Type

VIIC

Ordered

15 Aug, 1940

Laid down

31 Mar, 1941

Howaldtswerke, Hamburg (werk 812)

Launched

26 Mar, 1942

Commissioned

14 May, 1942

Kptlt. Heinrich Schmid

Commanders

14 May, 1942 - 8 May, 1943

KrvKpt. Heinrich Schmid

Career

3 patrols

14 May, 1942 - 30 Sep, 1942  5. Flottille (training)
1 Oct, 1942 - 31 Oct, 1942  11. Flottille (front boat)
1 Nov, 1942 - 8 May, 1943  9. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

2 ships sunk for a total of 10.924 GRT

Fate

Sunk 8 May, 1943 in the Bay of Biscay west of Brest, in position 46.50N, 10.00W, after being damaged by depth charges from an Australian Sunderland aircraft (RAAF Sqdn. 10/W) during an attack on 7 May. 49 dead (all hands lost).

See the 2 ships hit by U-663 - View the 3 war patrols

The boat reported in after the attack but was never heard from again. She must have suffered major hull failures during the attack and sunk as a result of those.

Previously recorded fate (Last revised by Axel Niestlé during November 1989). More on revised fates

The attack by the British Halifax aircraft (RAF 58/S) on 7 May, 1943 in position 46.33N, 11.12W formerly credited with the destruction of this boat was in fact against the U-214 causing minor damages.

Wolfpack operations

U-663 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
Drachen (25 Nov, 1942 - 25 Dec, 1942)
Seeteufel (21 Mar, 1943 - 30 Mar, 1943)

Attacks on this boat

7 May, 1943
An attack on 7 May, 1943 in the Bay of Biscay west of St. Nazaire, France, in position 47.06N, 10.58W, by depth charges from an Australian Sunderland aircraft (RAAF-Sqdn. 10/W) is often credited with sinking the U-465.

This attack was in fact against U-663 inflicting major damages. (Sources: 1989-11-01, Axel Niestle)

1 recorded attacks on this boat.

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-663 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.