U-778

Type

VIIC

Ordered

20 Jan 1941

Laid down

3 Jul 1943

Kriegsmarinewerft (KMW), Wilhelmshaven (werk 161)

Launched

6 May 1944

Commissioned

7 Jul 1944

Oblt. Ralf Jürs

Commanders

7 Jul 1944

9 May 1945

Kptlt. Ralf Jürs

Career
1 patrol

7 Jul 1944	-	28 Feb 1945	31. Flottille (training)
1 Mar 1945	-	8 May 1945	11. Flottille (active service)

Successes

No ships sunk or damaged

Fate

Surrendered on 9 May 1945 at Bergen, Norway (Waller & Niestlé, 2010).

Transferred to Loch Ryan, Scotland on 2 June 1945.

Operation Deadlight (post-war Allied operation, info)
While in tow for the scuttling ground on 4 December, 1945 she foundered and sank roughly 11 miles NE of the Inistrahull Light, in position 55.32N, 07.70W.

Final location

View the 1 war patrol

This boat is a dive site

While in tow for the scuttling ground on 4 December, 1945 she foundered and sank roughly 11 miles NE of the Inistrahull Light, in position 55.32N, 07.30W.

Innes McCartney dove on this boat in 2001 (see his report).

Depth: 220 feet (67 meters)
Position (lat, long): 55.32, -7.30

See more U-boat dive sites.

Schnorchel-fitted U-boat

This boat was fitted with a Schnorchel underwater-breathing apparatus in January 1945.

Read more about the Schnorchel and see list of fitted boats.

Annoucements related to this boat

A diver died while filming the U-778 (13 Oct 2007)
U-778 to be raised? (20 Aug 2007)

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-778 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.