U-Boat Operations

U-459	Type XIV
Feldpost Number	M 42 590
Construction Yard	Deutsche Werke AG, Kiel-Gaarden
Yard Number	290
Ordered	14th May 1940
Keel laid	22nd Nov 1940
Launched	13th Sep 1941
Commissioned	15th Nov 1941
Baubelehrung	Baubelehrung U-Boote Ostsee, Kiel / Kriegsschiffbaulehrabteilung für Unterseeboote Ostsee, Kiel / 1.KLA, Kiel
Training, Flotillas and Duties
11.41 - 03.42	4.U-Flottille, Stettin Ausbildungsboot (under training)
04.42 - 10.42	10.U-Flottille, Lorient Frontboot-Versuchboot (supply boat)
11.42 - 07.43	12.U-Flottille, Bordeaux Frontboot-Versuchboot (supply boat)
Commanders
15.11.41 - 24.07.43	KL ~ KKzV Georg von Wilamowitz-Moellendorf see also: U-2

Operations information for U-459
21.03.1942 - 22.03.1942 First Sailing U-459 left Kiel under the command of Georg von Wilamowitz-Möllendorf on 21st Mar 1942 and arrived at Helgoland on 22nd Mar 1942 after one day.
29.03.1942 - 15.05.1942 Second Sailing - active patrol On the 29th Mar 1942, U-459 left Helgoland under the command of Georg von Wilamowitz-Möllendorf and after more than six weeks arrived at St. Nazaire on 15th May 1942.U-459 carried out re-supply duties while stationed in quadrant CC (about 500 miles NE of Bermuda). Between 21st of April 1942 and 6th May 1942 she supplied the returning boats U-571, U-572 and U-582. Also supplied were the outbound U-69, U-98, U-103, U-108, U-333, U-352, U-558, U-564, U-566, U-594, U-751 and U-753.
06.06.1942 - 19.07.1942 Third Sailing - active patrol U-459 departed under Georg von Wilamowitz-Möllendorf from St. Nazaire on 6th Jun 1942 and arrived back at St. Nazaire on 19th Jul 1942 after just over six weeks on patrol.U-459 carried out re-supply duties West of the Azores in quadrant CC: the outbound U-203 and U-754; the returning U-106, U-107, U-502, U-558, U-594; she also supplied boats that were to continue operations: U-84, U-134, U-437, U-571 and U-575.
18.08.1942 - 04.11.1942 Fourth Sailing - active patrol U-459 left St. Nazaire under the command of Georg von Wilamowitz-Möllendorf on 18th Aug 1942 and returned just over eleven weeks later to St. Nazaire on 4th Nov 1942.On September 24th and 25th U-459 performed re-supply in quadrant GG 600 miles S of St Helena for U-68, U-159, U-172 and U-504. From October 11th onwards she operated SW of Freetown and re-supplied U-107, U-125, U-333, U-506 and U-552. U-459 was herself refuelled by U-462 W of Cape Verde Islands in late October.
20.12.1942 - 07.03.1943 Fifth Sailing - active patrol On the 20th Dec 1942, U-459 left St. Nazaire under the command of Georg von Wilamowitz-Möllendorf and arrived at Bordeaux on 7th Mar 1943 after eleven weeks.U-459 was stationed in quadrant GG and re-supplied U-506, U-509 and U-516 as well as the Italian Cagni. U-459 supplied U-160 and U-161 in quadrant FU.
20.04.1943 - 03.06.1943 Sixth Sailing - active patrol U-459 departed under Georg von Wilamowitz-Möllendorf from Bordeaux on 20th Apr 1943 and returned to Bordeaux on 3rd Jun 1943 after over six weeks on patrol. At 1200 HRS on 30th May 1943 in square BF 71, U-459 came under attack from an aircraft of RAF 10 OTU Squadron. The boat defended itself with flak and the aircraft was destroyed. At 1222 HRS on 30th May 1943 in square BF 71, U-459 came under attack from an aircraft of RAF 224 Squadron. The boat defended itself with flak without destroying the aircraft. U-459 operated in quadrants AK and BD, extending the operations of U-258, U-378, U-381, U-569 and U-650. She also re-supplied the returning boats U-129, U-168, U-226, U-260, U-306, U-402, U-403, U-448, U-466, U-525, U-648 and U-709. On the 30th of May 1943 she was attacked by a Whitley of 10 OTU (Sgt L O Slade). U-459 defended herself and the aircraft was shot down.
22.07.1943 - 24.07.1943 Seventh Sailing - active patrol U-459 left Bordeaux under the command of Georg von Wilamowitz-Möllendorf on 22nd Jul 1943. U-459 was lost on 24th Jul 1943.U-459 was sunk NW of Cape Ortegal at position 45.53N, 10.08W.

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