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 769 t when at the surface and 871 t while submerged. She had a total length of 67.10 m, a pressure hull length of 50.50 m, an overall beam of 6.20 m, a height of 9.60 m, and a draught of 4.74 m. The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of 2800 to 3200 PS for use while surfaced, two AEG GU 460/8–276 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750 PS for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.23 m propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 230 m.

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 17.7 kn and a maximum submerged speed of 7.6 kn. When submerged, the boat could operate for 80 nmi at 4 kn; when surfaced, she could travel 8500 nmi at 10 kn. U-1278 was fitted with five 53.3 cm torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes, one 8.8 cm SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and an anti-aircraft gun. 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 HMS Bayntun (K310) and HMS Loch Eck (K422) 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 61.53333°N, 1.6°W.