 To offset this, the Navy looked to transfer boats away from other duties, such as training.On 1 March 1945, "U-78" began active service with the 4th U-boat Flotilla.Just a month and a half later, however, on 16 April 1945, "U-78" was sunk after being attacked by Soviet land-based artillery while she was docked near the electricity supply pier in the German port of Pillau in East Prussia.