| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | U-280 |
| Ordered | 5 June 1941 |
| Builder | Bremer Vulkan,Bremen-Vegesack |
| Yard number | 45 |
| Laid down | 30 April 1942 |
| Launched | 4 January 1943 |
| Commissioned | 13 February 1943 |
| Fate | Sunk on 16 November 1943 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Type VIICsubmarine |
| Displacement | |
| Length |
|
| Beam |
|
| Height | 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in) |
| Draught | 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in) |
| Installed power |
|
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed |
|
| Range | |
| Test depth |
|
| Complement | 4 officers, 40–56 enlisted |
| Armament |
|
| Service record[1][2] | |
| Part of |
|
| Identification codes | M 50 159 |
| Commanders |
|
| Operations |
|
| Victories | None |

German submarineU-280 was aType VIICU-boat ofNazi Germany'sKriegsmarine duringWorld War II.
The submarine waslaid down on 30 April 1942 at theBremer Vulkan yard atBremen-Vegesack,launched on 4 January 1943, andcommissioned on 13 February 1943 under the command ofOberleutnant zur See Walter Hungershausen.[1]
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorterType VIIB submarines.U-280 had a displacement of 769 tonnes (757 long tons) when at the surface and 871 tonnes (857 long tons) while submerged.[3] She had a total length of 67.10 m (220 ft 2 in), apressure hull length of 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in), abeam of 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in), a height of 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in), and adraught of 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in). The submarine was powered by twoGermaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylindersuperchargeddiesel engines producing a total of 2,800 to 3,200 metric horsepower (2,060 to 2,350 kW; 2,760 to 3,160 shp) for use while surfaced, twoAEG GU 460/8–27double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750 metric horsepower (550 kW; 740 shp) for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.23 m (4 ft)propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 230 metres (750 ft).[3]
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph).[3] When submerged, the boat could operate for 80 nautical miles (150 km; 92 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 8,500 nautical miles (15,700 km; 9,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph).U-280 was fitted with five 53.3 cm (21 in)torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteentorpedoes, one8.8 cm (3.46 in) SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and two twin2 cm (0.79 in) C/30anti-aircraft guns. The boat had acomplement of between forty-four and sixty.[3]
U-280 served with8th U-boat Flotilla while training, and transferred to3rd U-boat Flotilla on 1 August 1943 for front-line service.[1]
On 12 October 1943U-280 sailed fromKiel on her first and only war patrol.[2] On 16 November she was attacked by a BritishLiberator aircraft ofNo. 86 Squadron RAF nearConvoy HX 265, in position49°11′N27°32′W / 49.183°N 27.533°W /49.183; -27.533, south-west ofIceland. The first attack missed and the aircraft was hit byflak, knocking out one engine. However the bomber attacked again, sinkingU-280 withdepth charges. The Liberator safely returned to base on three engines.[1]
U-280 operated with the followingWolfpacks during her career: