U-666

Type

VIIC

Ordered

15 Aug 1940

Laid down

16 Sep 1941

Howaldtswerke Hamburg AG, Hamburg (werk 815)

Launched

18 Jul 1942

Commissioned

26 Aug 1942

Oblt. Herbert Engel

Commanders

26 Aug 1942 - 9 Dec 1943	Kptlt. Herbert Engel
10 Dec 1943 - 10 Feb 1944	Oblt. Ernst Wilberg

Career

4 patrols

26 Aug 1942 - 28 Feb 1943 5. Flottille (training)
1 Mar 1943 - 10 Feb 1944 6. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

1 warship sunk for a total of 1,370 tons
1 ship damaged for a total of 5,234 GRT

Fate

Listed as missing in the North Atlantic on 10 Feb, 1944.

There is no explanation for its loss. 51 dead (all hands lost).

See the 2 ships hit by U-666 - View the 4 war patrols

Previously recorded fate
(Last revised by Axel Niestlé during September 1995. More on revised fates.

Sunk 10 Feb, 1944 in the North Atlantic west of Ireland, in position 53.56N, 17.16W, by depth charges from aircraft of the British escort carrier HMS Fencer.

This attack was probably against a nonsub target.

Wolfpack operations

U-666 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Sturmer (14 Mar 1943 - 20 Mar 1943)
   Seewolf (25 Mar 1943 - 30 Mar 1943)
   Trutz (1 Jun 1943 - 16 Jun 1943)
   Trutz II (16 Jun 1943 - 2 Jul 1943)
   Leuthen (31 Aug 1943 - 24 Sep 1943)

Attacks on this boat

19 Mar 1943
Just after damaging the Greek merchant Carras from convoy SC-122 a British B-17 (Sqdn 220, pilot William Knowles) hit the boat with 4 depth charges causing serious damage and forcing the boat to abort to France. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 265)

9 May 1943
Aircraft attack, aircraft shot down:British Halifax HR743 (58 Sqdn RAF/N, pilot F/S J.A. Hoather, DFM)

At 10.28 hours, the outbound boat was attacked by the Halifax (misidentified as Sunderland) in the Bay of Biscay. The aircraft only strafed the boat in the first attack and recieved several AA hits in a port engine during a second attack attempt. The pilot then apparently lost control when turning for another attack and the Halifax crashed into the sea about 500 metres from the boat, killing the crew of eight.

(Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)

9 May 1943
At 12.25 hours, the outbound boat was attacked by the British Whitley aircraft BD278 (10 OTU RAF/C, pilot Sgt A.J. Savage) in the Bay of Biscay. The aircraft was hit by AA fire during the intial strafing run and its depth charges fell wide. While the boat crash-dived, the Whitley returned to base due to the damages recieved in the tail. (Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)

5 Jan 1944
The outbound boat from Lorient (sailed on 25 Dec, 1943) was attacked and damaged by aircraft. The boat made repairs at sea and continued the patrol but was sunk with all hands on 10 Feb 1944. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 486)

4 recorded attacks on this boat.

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-666 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.