U-255

Type

VIIC

Ordered

23 Sep 1939

Laid down

21 Dec 1940

Bremer Vulkan-Vegesacker Werft, Bremen-Vegesack (werk 20)

Launched

8 Oct 1941

Commissioned

29 Nov 1941

Kptlt. Reinhart Reche (Knights Cross)

Commanders

29 Nov 1941	-	6 Jun 1943	Kptlt. Reinhart Reche (Knights Cross)
7 Jun 1943	-	Aug, 1944	Oblt. Erich Harms
2 Mar 1945	-	19 May 1945	Oblt. Helmuth Heinrich

Career
15 patrols

29 Nov 1941	-	30 Jun 1942	8. Flottille (training)
1 Jul 1942	-	31 May 1943	11. Flottille (active service)
1 Jun 1943	-	30 Nov 1943	13. Flottille (active service)
1 Dec 1943	-	1 Sep 1944	7. Flottille (active service)
1 Mar 1945	-	8 May 1945	13. Flottille (-)

Successes

10 ships sunk, total tonnage 47,640 GRT
1 warship sunk, total tonnage 1,200 tons
1 ship a total loss, total tonnage 7,191 GRT

Fate

Surrendered at Loch Eriboll, Scotland on 17 May 1945 (Waller & Niestlé, 2010).

Transferred to Loch Ryan on 14 May, 1945 for Operation Deadlight.

Operation Deadlight (post-war Allied operation, info)
Sunk on 13 Dec 1945 in position 55.50N, 10.05W.

Final location

See the 12 ships hit by U-255 - View the 15 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-255 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Eisteufel (1 Jul 1942 - 12 Jul 1942)
   Nebelkönig (7 Aug 1942 - 9 Aug 1942)
   Nordwind (24 Jan 1943 - 4 Feb 1943)
   Taifun (2 Apr 1943 - 4 Apr 1943)
   Eisbär (4 Apr 1943 - 15 Apr 1943)
   Preussen (9 Mar 1944 - 22 Mar 1944)

Attacks on this boat and other events

23 Sep 1942
The U-boat was attacked by a Catalina aircraft (RAF Sqdn 210/U, F/Sgt J.W. Semmons) south of Jan Mayen. She had to return to base after being heavily damaged by two depth charges.

10 Mar 1944
The boat located a big tanker convoy, CU 16, and went in for the attack. She was attacked by surface escorts but managed to sink the escort Leopold after which she was hunted for 3 hours but managed to slip away. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 503)

11 Mar 1944
The boat was attacked by aircraft and 2 men were wounded. The boat continued its patrol after treating its wounded (a meeting with U-608 with a doctor on board did not succeed).

27 Mar 1944
Unknown aircraft attacked the boat off Gibraltar as she attempted to enter the Mediterranean. The boat was forced to abort to France. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 508)

11 Apr 1944
The inbound (attacked by aircraft off Gibraltar on March 27) boat was caught on the surface with its escort by 15 British Mosquito aircraft. These were in turn attacked by German Ju-88 aircraft. The boat reached St. Nazaire with only minor damage. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 508)

5 recorded attacks on this boat.

Schnorchel-fitted U-boat
This boat was fitted with a Schnorchel underwater-breathing apparatus in September 1944. 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-255 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.