Recognition Guide Warships of the Second World War
Kriegsmarine — Submarine

German submarine U-263

Type VIIC submarine

Displacement
757 long tons (769 t)
Length
67.1 m (220.1 ft)
Beam
6.2 m (20.3 ft)
Speed
17.7 knots (32.8 km/h, 20.4 mph)
Main gun
88 mm (3.5 in)

Service

  1. Kriegsmarine as U-2636 May 1942 — 20 January 1944624 days of the war
Type VIIC submarine Particulars
Name
U-263
Builder
Bremer-Vulkan-Vegesacker Werft, Bremen
Ordered
15 August 1940
Laid down
8 June 1941
Launched
18 March 1942
Commissioned
6 May 1942
Fate
Sunk, 20 January 1944 in the Bay of Biscay during a deep dive trial (1944)
Status
Wreck

Specifications

Displacement, surfaced
757 long tons (769 t)
Displacement, submerged
857 long tons (871 t)
Length
67.1 m (220.1 ft) OA
Beam
6.2 m (20.3 ft)
Draught
4.74 m (15.6 ft)
Speed
17.7 knots (32.8 km/h, 20.4 mph)
Range
8,500 nmi (15,742 km)
Main gun
88 mm (3.5 in)

U-263 was a Type VIIC submarine in service with the Kriegsmarine. Bremer-Vulkan-Vegesacker Werft, Bremen laid her keel on 8 June 1941. Launched on 18 March 1942, she entered service on 6 May 1942.

612 ships of the class were built. The class followed the Type UB III, Vetehinen class and was succeeded by the Type XXI (Late-war replacement).

The boat displaced 757 long tons surfaced and 857 long tons submerged. She measured 67.1 m (220 ft) long with a beam of 6.2 m (20 ft). Her designed speed was 17.7 knots.

Her main battery was one 88 mm (3.5 in) guns.

She was in commission for 624 days of the Second World War.

She was sunk on 20 January 1944. The wreck survives.

Written from the harvested record. Every figure above is sourced; the wording is this site's own.

Armament and machinery

Armament and machinery
Propulsion
  • 2 shafts
  • 2 × diesel engines
  • 2 × electric motors
Power
  • 2800 - 3200 PS (diesels)
  • 750 PS (electric)
Armament
  • 5 × 53.3 cm torpedo tubes (four bow, one stern)
  • 14 × torpedoes or 26 TMA mines
  • 1 × 8.8 cm deck gun (220 rounds)
  • 2 × twin 2 cm C/30 anti-aircraft guns

Sister ships

587 more in the class

Sources