German submarine U-271

German submarine U-271 was a Type VIIC U-boat of the Nazi German Kriegsmarine during World War II. The submarine was laid down on 21 October 1941 at the Bremer Vulkan yard at Bremen-Vegesack as 'werk' 36, launched on 29 July 1942 and commissioned on 22 September under the command of Kapitänleutnant Curt Barleben. After training with the 8th U-boat Flotilla, U-271 was transferred to the 1st U-boat Flotilla, for front-line service from 1 June 1943.

U-271 sank no ships in her short career. She was a member of two wolfpacks.

1st patrol
The boat's initial foray started and finished in Lorient in occupied France. It was relatively uneventful.

2nd patrol
It was a different story on her second patrol. While serving as a 'Flak' boat, U-271 was attacked by two TBM Avengers from the USS Core on 21 October 1943. One man died.

She was also attacked by a B-24 Liberator on 24 June south southeast of Cape Finisterre. The aircraft was shot down. The submarine sustained some damage.

3rd patrol and loss
U-271 set off from Brest for the last time on 12 January 1944. On the 28th she was attacked and sunk west of Limerick in Ireland by an American Liberator.

Fifty-one men died; there were no survivors.