German submarine U-259

German submarine U-259 was a Type VIIC U-boat of the Nazi German Kriegsmarine during World War II. The submarine was laid down on 25 March 1941 at the Bremer Vulkan yard at Bremen-Vegesack, launched on 30 December 1941, and commissioned on 18 February 1942 under the command of Kapitänleutnant Klaus Köpke. After training with the 5th U-boat Flotilla at Kiel, U-259 was transferred to the 3rd U-boat Flotilla, based at La Pallice, France, for front-line service from 1 September 1942.

U-259 sank no ships in her short career, and was sunk off North Africa on 15 November 1942, during her second combat patrol, by a British Hudson bomber.

1st patrol
U-259 sailed from Kiel on 29 August 1942, and headed out into the mid-Atlantic, joining Wolf pack Lohs from 3–22 September, and Wolf pack Blitz from 22–25 September, but had no success. The U-boat arrived at La Pallice on 5 October after 38 days at sea.

2nd patrol
U-259 departed La Pallice on 5 November 1942 as part of Wolf pack Delphin, entered the Mediterranean Sea through the Strait of Gibraltar, and joined Wolf pack Wal on 12 November.

Sinking
On 15 November the U-boat was attacked by a British Hudson light bomber of No. 500 Squadron RAF, north of Algiers, in position 37.33333°N, 3.08333°W. U-259 was sunk with all 48 hands when one of the depth charges dropped by the aircraft exploded on contact with the U-boat. The blast also crippled the aircraft, forcing the crew to bail out. Only the pilot and one crewman were rescued by the British sloops HMS Erne (U03) and HMS Leith (U36).