German submarine U-278 was a Type VIIC U-boat of the Nazi German Kriegsmarine during World War II. The submarine was laid down on 26 March 1942 at the Bremer Vulkan yard at Bremen-Vegesack as 'werk' 43. She was launched on 2 December and commissioned on 16 January 1943 under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Joachim Franze.