U-264

Type

VIIC

Ordered

15 Aug, 1940

Laid down

21 Jun, 1941

Bremer Vulkan, 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

Career

5 patrols

22 May, 1942 - 31 Oct, 1942 8. Flottille (training)
1 Nov, 1942 - 19 Feb, 1944 6. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

3 ships sunk for a total of 16.843 GRT

Fate

Sunk at 1707hrs on 19 Feb, 1944 in the North Atlantic, in position 48.31N, 22.05W, by depth charges from the British sloops HMS Woodpecker and HMS Starling. 52 survivors (No casualties).

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:
   Rochen (16 Feb, 1943 - 25 Feb, 1943)
   Specht (27 Apr, 1943 - 4 May, 1943)
   Fink (4 May, 1943 - 6 May, 1943)

Attacks on this boat

20 Nov, 1942
The attack on 20 Nov, 1942 in the mid-Atlantic, in position 49.25N, 45.25W, by depth charges from the Norwegian corvette Potentilla believed to have sunk the U-184 was actually against U-264 inflicting no damage. (Sources: 1993-01-01, FDS/NHB)

17 Apr, 1943
Escorts of convoy HX 233 depth charged the boat causing heavy damages. The crew managed to repair the boat enough to continue the patrol. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 282)

4 Oct, 1943
While being refueled by U-460 (along with U-422 and U-455) the boats were attacked by Avenger aircraft from the escort carrier 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 then attacked later in the day but escaped again but this time seriously damaged and had to abort patrol. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 429)

3 recorded attacks on this boat.

General notes on this boat

The British heavy cruiser Sussex, aided by code-breaking found the German blockage-runner Hohenfriedberg forcing her to scuttle. Looks in U-264 fired a full salvo at the cruiser but missed and the cruiser left the area. Looks then rescued the entire crew of the scuttled vessel and brought them to France 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.