U-663
Type | VIIC | |||
| Ordered | 15 Aug 1940 | |||
| Laid down | 31 Mar 1941 | Howaldtswerke Hamburg AG, Hamburg (werk 812) | ||
| Launched | 26 Mar 1942 | |||
| Commissioned | 14 May 1942 | Kptlt. Heinrich Schmid | ||
| Commanders |
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| Career | 2 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 2 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 attack 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.
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