U-863
Type | IXD2 | |||
| Ordered | 5 Jun, 1941 | |||
| Laid down | 15 Sep, 1942 | AG Weser, Bremen (werk 1069) | ||
| Launched | 29 Jun, 1943 | |||
| Commissioned | 3 Nov, 1943 | Kptlt. Dietrich von der Esch | ||
| Commanders |
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| Career | 1 patrol | 3 Nov, 1943 - 30 Jun, 1944 4. Flottille (training) 1 Jul, 1944 - 29 Sep, 1944 12. Flottille (front boat) | ||
| Successes | No ships sunk or damaged | |||
| Fate | Sunk 29 Sept, 1944 in the South Atlantic east-south-east of Recife, in position 10.45S, 25.30W, by depth charges from 2 US Liberator aircraft (VB-107/B-9). 69 dead (all hands lost). | |||
Attacks on this boat
20 Jul, 1944
A Norwegian Mosquito aircraft (Sqdn 333, pilot Rolf Leithe) attacked the boat with 57mm cannon fire and 2 depth charges. The boat suffered some damages and retreated to base for repairs, re-sailing on July 26. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 597)
1 recorded attacks 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-863 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.
 German U-Boat Losses During World War II Niestle, Axel Buy this title at amazon.co.uk See more sellers |
Books dealing with this subject include: German U-Boat Losses During World War II, Niestle, Axel, 1998 U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 1, Wynn, Kenneth, 1998 U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 2, Wynn, Kenneth, 1998 |