U-863

Type

IXD2

 
Ordered5 Jun 1941
Laid down 15 Sep 1942 AG Weser, Bremen (werk 1069)
Launched29 Jun 1943
Commissioned3 Nov 1943Kptlt. Dietrich von der Esch
Commanders
3 Nov 1943 - 29 Sep 1944  Kptlt. Dietrich von der Esch
Career1 patrol 3 Nov 1943 - 30 Jun 1944  4. Flottille (training)
1 Jul 1944 - 29 Sep 1944  12. Flottille (front boat)
SuccessesNo ships sunk or damaged
Fate

Sunk 29 Sept, 1944 in the South Atlantic east-south-east of Recife, in position 10.45S, 25.30W, by depth charges from 2 US Liberator aircraft (VB-107/B-9). 69 dead (all hands lost).

View the 1 war patrol

Attacks on this boat

20 Jul 1944
A Norwegian Mosquito aircraft (Sqdn 333, pilot Rolf Leithe) attacked the boat with 57mm cannon fire and 2 depth charges. The boat suffered some damages and retreated to base for repairs, re-sailing on July 26. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 597)

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-863 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.



U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 2

Wynn, Kenneth


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Books dealing with this subject include:

German U-Boat Losses During World War II. Niestle, Axel, 1998.
Hitler's U-boat War. Blair, Clay, 1996.
Hitler's U-boat War, Vol II. Blair, Clay, 1998.
U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 1. Wynn, Kenneth, 1998.
U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 2. Wynn, Kenneth, 1998.