German submarine U-278 facts for kids
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U-278 was a German submarine, known as a U-boat, used by Nazi Germany's navy during World War II. It was a Type VIIC submarine, a common and important kind of U-boat.
Its construction began on March 26, 1942, at the Bremer Vulkan shipyard. The submarine was launched on December 2, 1942, and officially joined the navy on January 16, 1943. Its first commander was Joachim Franze.
Contents
| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany |
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| Name | U-278 |
| Ordered | 10 April 1941 |
| Builder | Bremer Vulkan, Bremen-Vegesack |
| Yard number | 43 |
| Laid down | 26 March 1942 |
| Launched | 2 December 1942 |
| Commissioned | 16 January 1943 |
| Fate |
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| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Type VIIC submarine |
| Displacement |
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| Length |
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| Beam |
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| Height | 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in) |
| Draught | 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in) |
| Installed power |
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| Propulsion |
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| Speed |
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| Range | |
| Test depth |
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| Complement | 4 officers, 40–56 enlisted |
| Armament |
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| Service record | |
| Part of: |
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| Commanders: |
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| Operations: |
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| Victories: |
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- First Patrol
- Second and Third Patrols
- Fourth Patrol
- Fifth Patrol
- Sixth Patrol
- Seventh Patrol and Surrender
Submarine Design and Features
Type VIIC submarines were a very important part of the German navy. U-278 was designed to be strong and effective underwater.
Size and Weight
When U-278 was on the surface, it weighed about 769 tons. When it was underwater, it weighed more, around 871 tons. The submarine was about 67.10 meters (220 feet) long overall. Its main body, called the pressure hull, was 50.50 meters (165 feet) long.
The submarine was 6.20 meters (20 feet) wide and 9.60 meters (31 feet) tall. It sat 4.74 meters (15 feet) deep in the water.
Power and Speed
U-278 used two diesel engines when it was on the surface. These engines gave it enough power to travel at a top speed of 17.7 knots (about 32.8 km/h or 20.4 mph).
Underwater, it switched to two electric motors. Its top speed submerged was 7.6 knots (about 14.1 km/h or 8.7 mph).
Travel Range
When surfaced, U-278 could travel a very long distance. It could go about 8,500 nautical miles (15,742 km or 9,782 miles) at a speed of 10 knots.
Underwater, it could travel about 80 nautical miles (148 km or 92 miles) at 4 knots.
Depth and Crew
This submarine could safely operate at depths of up to 230 meters (755 feet). It could even go deeper, to a crush depth of 250 to 295 meters (820 to 968 feet), before its hull might break.
The crew of U-278 usually had between 44 and 60 people. This included officers and other sailors.
Weapons on Board
U-278 was well-armed for its missions. It had five torpedo tubes, which are special launchers for torpedoes. Four of these were at the front (bow) and one was at the back (stern). It carried 14 torpedoes.
It also had a large 8.8 cm deck gun with 220 rounds of ammunition. For defense against aircraft, it had two twin 2 cm anti-aircraft guns.
Anti-Aircraft Guns
The submarine was equipped with two 2cm Flak C38 guns. These were mounted in a special M43U Zwilling mount. This type of gun mount was used on several other U-boats during the war.
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2 cm Flak C38 in a M43U Zwilling mount with a short folding shield.
Service History and Missions
U-278 was first used for training with the 8th U-boat Flotilla from January to September 1943. Then, it began its active missions. It was part of the 7th U-boat Flotilla, then the 11th U-boat Flotilla, and finally the 13th U-boat Flotilla until the war ended.
During its time in service, U-278 completed seven patrols. It successfully sank two ships: one merchant ship weighing 7,177 tons and one warship weighing 1,810 tons. It also joined eight wolfpacks, which were groups of U-boats hunting together.
First Patrol
U-278 left Bergen, Norway, on January 8, 1944. On January 25, it sank a ship called Penelope Barker. This happened about 115 nautical miles (213 km or 132 miles) north of the North Cape. The submarine then arrived at Hammerfest on January 28.
Second and Third Patrols
On January 30, 1944, U-278 sank the British destroyer Hardy. This happened southeast of Bear Island.
Its third patrol took the submarine through the Norwegian Sea and the Barents Sea.
Fourth Patrol
U-278 started its fourth patrol from Hammerfest on April 24, 1944. On May 3, it was attacked by British aircraft from aircraft carriers. The U-boat only had minor damage, and its crew claimed to have shot down one of the planes. However, all the attacking aircraft returned safely.
After this, the submarine made several short trips between Bergen, Ramsund, and Narvik in July 1944.
Fifth Patrol
The fifth patrol was the longest for U-278, lasting 63 days. During this mission, the submarine traveled far north and east into the Kara Sea.
After this patrol, it moved from Narvik to Trondheim in October 1944.
Sixth Patrol
This patrol was split into two parts. U-278 traveled as far as the northern coast of Scotland during this time.
Seventh Patrol and Surrender
The last patrol for U-278 was from Narvik, lasting from April 10 to May 9, 1945.
After Germany surrendered, U-278 was moved from Norway to Loch Eriboll in Scotland. It was part of an operation called Operation Deadlight. On December 31, 1945, the submarine was sunk by gunfire from the ships HMS Onslaught and ORP Blyskawica.
Ships Sunk by U-278
| Date | Ship Name | Nationality | Tonnage | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 January 1944 | Penelope Barker |  United States |
7,177 | Sunk |
| 30 January 1944 | HMS Hardy |  Royal Navy |
1,810 | Sunk |
