List of all U-boats

U-266

Type

VIIC

 
Ordered15 Aug 1940
Laid down1 Aug 1941 Bremer Vulkan-Vegesacker Werft, Bremen-Vegesack (werk 31)
Launched11 May 1942
Commissioned24 Jun 1942Oblt. Hannes Leinemann
Commanders
24 Jun 1942 - 11 Sep 1942  Oblt. Hannes Leinemann
12 Sep 1942 - 15 May 1943  Kptlt. Ralf von Jessen
Career
2 patrols
24 Jun 1942-31 Dec 1942  8. Flottille (training)
1 Jan 1943-15 May 1943  7. Flottille (active service)
Successes4 ships sunk, total tonnage 16,089 GRT
Fate

Sunk on 15 May 1943 in the North Atlantic north-west of Spain, in position 45.28N, 10.20W, by depth charges from a British Halifax aircraft (58 Sqn RAF/M). 47 dead (all hands lost). (FDS/NHB, April 1990).

Loss position

See the 4 ships hit by U-266 - View the 2 war patrols

Previously recorded fate

  • Sunk 14 May, 1943 in the North Atlantic in position 47.45N, 26.57W, by depth charges from a British Liberator aircraft (Sqdn. 86/B). (Postwar assessment)
    Notes. This attack was in fact against U-403 inflicting no damage.

Wolfpack operations

U-266 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Jaguar (10 Jan 1943 - 27 Jan 1943)
   Pfeil (4 Feb 1943 - 9 Feb 1943)
   Amsel (22 Apr 1943 - 3 May 1943)
   Amsel 2 (3 May 1943 - 6 May 1943)
   Elbe (7 May 1943 - 7 May 1943)

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-266 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.

U-boat Emblems

We have 1 emblem entry for this boat. See the emblem page for this boat or view emblems individually below.


The Snorting Bull - U-47

Media links


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

Wynn, Kenneth


German U-Boat Losses During World War II

Niestle, Axel


Hitler's U-boat War, Vol II

Blair, Clay


Hitler's U-boat War

Blair, Clay




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