German submarine U-1278
German submarine "U-1278" was a Type VIIC/41 U-boat of Nazi Germany's "Kriegsmarine" during World War II. She was ordered on 13 June 1942, and was laid down on 12 August 1943, at Bremer Vulkan AG, Bremen, as yard number 73. She was launched on 15 April 1944, and commissioned under the command of "Kapitänleutnant" Erich Müller-Bethke on 31 May 1944. Design. German Type VIIC/41 submarines were preceded by the heavier Type VIIC submarines. "U-1278" had a displacement of when at the surface and while submerged. She had a total length of , a pressure hull  length of , an overall beam of , a height of , and a draught of . The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of for use while surfaced, two AEG GU 460/8–276 double-acting electric motors producing a total of for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to . The submarine had a maximum surface speed of and a maximum submerged speed of . When submerged, the boat could operate for at ; when surfaced, she could travel at . "U-1278" was  fitted with five torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes, one SK C/35 naval gun, (220 rounds), one Flak M42 and two C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and fifty-two. Service history. "U-1278" left on her first, and only, war patrol on 11 February 1945. At this time she was, and probably had been prior to, fitted with a Schnorchel underwater-breathing apparatus. Only 7 days into her patrol she was located by the British frigates and in the Norwegian Sea north-west of Bergen . She was sunk on 17 February 1945, by depth charges, killing all 48 of her crew. The wreck now lies at .