List of all U-boats

U-264

Type

VIIC

 
Ordered15 Aug 1940
Laid down21 Jun 1941 Bremer Vulkan-Vegesacker Werft, Bremen-Vegesack (werk 29)
Launched2 Apr 1942
Commissioned22 May 1942Oblt. Hartwig Looks
Commanders
22 May 1942 - 19 Feb 1944  Kptlt. Hartwig Looks (German Cross in Gold)
Career
5 patrols
22 May 1942-31 Oct 1942  8. Flottille (training)
1 Nov 1942-19 Feb 1944  6. Flottille (active service)
Successes3 ships sunk, total tonnage 16,843 GRT
Fate

Sunk at 1707hrs on 19 February 1944 in the North Atlantic south-west of Ireland, in position 48.31N, 22.05W, by depth charges from the British sloops HMS Woodpecker and HMS Starling. 52 survivors (no casualties).

Loss position

See the 3 ships hit by U-264 - View the 5 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-264 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Kreuzotter (15 Nov 1942 - 20 Nov 1942)
   Delphin (23 Jan 1943 - 9 Feb 1943)
   Rochen (9 Feb 1943 - 20 Feb 1943)
   Without name (15 Apr 1943 - 18 Apr 1943)
   Specht (19 Apr 1943 - 4 May 1943)
   Fink (4 May 1943 - 6 May 1943)
   Naab (12 May 1943 - 15 May 1943)
   Donau 2 (15 May 1943 - 19 May 1943)
   Mosel (19 May 1943 - 23 May 1943)
   Igel 2 (15 Feb 1944 - 17 Feb 1944)
   Hai 1 (17 Feb 1944 - 19 Feb 1944)

Attacks on this boat and other events

20 Nov 1942
The target of the depth charge attack on 20 Nov. 1942 in mid-Atlantic at position 49.25N, 45.25W, by the Norwegian corvette HNoMS Potentilla, credited with sinking U-184, was actually U-264, which escaped unscathed. (Sources: 1993-01-01, FDS/NHB)

17 Apr 1943
Depth charging by escorts from convoy HX 233 caused heavy damage. The crew managed to make repairs and continue the patrol. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 282)

4 Oct 1943
While being refuelled by U-460 (together with U-422 and U-455) the boats were attacked by Avenger aircraft from the escort carrier USS Card. After putting up heavy flak the smaller VIIC boats dived, leaving U-460 on the surface. She was destroyed when she also tried to dive. U-264 was attacked later in the day and once again escaped, but this time serious damage forced a return to base. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 429)

3 recorded attacks on this boat.

General notes on this boat

26 Feb 1943. Using information from code-breaking the British heavy cruiser HMS Sussex found the German blockage-runner Hohenfriedberg and forced her to scuttle. Oblt Looks in U-264 launched a full salvo at the cruiser, which missed, and the Sussex left the area unscathed. Looks then rescued the entire crew of the scuttled vessel, arriving at St Nazaire on 5 March.

Schnorchel-fitted U-boat

This boat was fitted with a Schnorchel underwater-breathing apparatus in December 1943.

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-264 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.

U-boat Emblems

We have 4 emblem entries for this boat. See the emblem page for this boat or view emblems individually below.


Two Mines

Divine Hand saving Boat

Cowboy shooting Gun in air

Shield with Sword and Swastika

Media links


German U-Boat Losses During World War II

Niestle, Axel


Hitler's U-boat War, Vol II

Blair, Clay


U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 1

Wynn, Kenneth


Hitler's U-boat War

Blair, Clay




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