U-264

Type

VIIC

Ordered

15 Aug 1940

Laid down

21 Jun 1941

Bremer Vulkan-Vegesacker Werft, Bremen-Vegesack (werk 29)

Launched

2 Apr 1942

Commissioned

22 May 1942

Oblt. 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)

Successes

3 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.