List of all U-boats

U-280

Type

VIIC

 
Ordered5 Jun 1941
Laid down30 Apr 1942 Bremer Vulkan-Vegesacker Werft, Bremen-Vegesack (werk 45)
Launched4 Jan 1943
Commissioned13 Feb 1943Ltnt. Walter Hungershausen
Commanders
13 Feb 1943 - 16 Nov 1943  Oblt. Walter Hungershausen
Career
1 patrol
13 Feb 1943-31 Jul 1943  8. Flottille (training)
1 Aug 1943-16 Nov 1943  3. Flottille (active service)
SuccessesNo ships sunk or damaged
Fate

Sunk on 16 November 1943 in the North Atlantic west of Ireland, in position 49.11N, 27.32W, by depth charges from a British Liberator aircraft (86 Sqn RAF/M). 49 dead (all hands lost).

Loss position

View the 1 war patrol

Wolfpack operations

U-280 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Körner (30 Oct 1943 - 2 Nov 1943)
   Tirpitz 3 (2 Nov 1943 - 8 Nov 1943)
   Eisenhart 3 (9 Nov 1943 - 15 Nov 1943)

Attacks on this boat and other events

16 Nov 1943
The sinking of U-280

10.25 hrs, mid Atlantic: Liberator bomber FL931 (RAF Sqdn 86/M, pilot F/O J.H. Bookless, RAAF) attacked the boat near convoy HX 265. On the first run the Liberator's port outer engine was knocked out by accurate by AA fire and the depth charges overshot. F/O Bookless nonetheless attacked again, and sank U-280 with more depth charges. He then then remained on patrol for another hour on three engines before returning to base and landing safely. (Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)

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-280 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.


Media links


Hitler's U-boat War, Vol II

Blair, Clay


German U-Boat Losses During World War II

Niestle, Axel


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

Wynn, Kenneth




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