German submarine U-463
| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany | |
| Name | U-463 |
| Ordered | 15 August 1940 |
| Builder | Deutsche Werke, Kiel |
| Yard number | 294 |
| Laid down | 8 March 1941 |
| Launched | 20 December 1941 |
| Commissioned | 2 April 1942 |
| Fate | Sunk on 16 May 1943 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Type XIV ocean-going submarine tanker |
| Displacement | |
| Length |
|
| Beam |
|
| Height | 11.70 m (38 ft 5 in) |
| Draught | 6.51 m (21 ft 4 in) |
| Installed power |
|
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed |
|
| Range |
|
| Test depth | 240 m (790 ft) |
| Complement | 6 officers and 47 enlisted |
| Armament |
|
| Service record[1][2] | |
| Part of: |
|
| Identification codes: | M 41 387 |
| Commanders: |
|
| Operations: |
|
| Victories: | None |
German submarine U-463 was a
Her keel was laid down on 8 March 1941 by Deutsche Werke of Kiel. She was launched on 20 December 1941 and commissioned on 2 April 1942 with Korvettenkapitän Leo Wolfbauer in command. Wolfbauer remained in charge for the boat's entire career.[1]
Design
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 14.4–14.9 knots (26.7–27.6 km/h; 16.6–17.1 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 6.2 knots (11.5 km/h; 7.1 mph).
Operational career
U-463 conducted five patrols. As a supply boat, she avoided combat.[1]
First patrol
U-463 departed Kiel on her first patrol on 11 July 1942, arriving at
Second, third and fourth patrols
Her second foray took her into the middle of the Atlantic again, between 28 September 1942 and 11 November.
The submarine's next sortie was further south, passing the Azores on the outward journey to the north and to the south on the return. By now she was based at St. Nazaire once more.
Another uneventful patrol began on 4 March 1943, but when the U-boat returned to France on 17 April, she moved into Bordeaux.
Fifth patrol and loss
U-463's fifth patrol began with her departure from
Wolfpacks
U-463 took part in one wolfpack, namely:
- Delphin (11 – 14 January 1943)
References
- ^ a b c d Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type XIV boat U-463". German U-boats of WWII – uboat.net. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "War Patrols by German U-boat U-463". German U-boats of WWII – uboat.net. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
- ^ a b c d Gröner 1991, p. 79.
Bibliography
- Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999). German U-boat commanders of World War II : a biographical dictionary. Translated by Brooks, Geoffrey. London, Annapolis, Md: Greenhill Books, Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-186-6.
- Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999). Deutsche U-Boot-Verluste von September 1939 bis Mai 1945 [German U-boat losses from September 1939 to May 1945]. Der U-Boot-Krieg (in German). Vol. IV. Hamburg, Berlin, Bonn: Mittler. ISBN 3-8132-0514-2.
- Edwards, Bernard (1996). Dönitz and the Wolf Packs – The U-boats at War. Cassell Military Classics. p. 178. ISBN 0-304-35203-9.
- Gröner, Erich; Jung, Dieter; Maass, Martin (1991). U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels. German Warships 1815–1945. Vol. 2. Translated by Thomas, Keith; Magowan, Rachel. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-593-4.
External links
- Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type XIV boat U-463". German U-boats of WWII – uboat.net. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
45°57′N 11°40′W / 45.950°N 11.667°W