 "U-63" left the German island of Helgoland (also known as 'Heligoland'), on 17 February 1940.She, along with five other U-boats, took part in Operation "Nordmark", a reconnaissance mission for the German Battleships and and Cruiser "Admiral Hipper" (for what proved to be an unsuccessful sortie).It took place in the vicinity of the Orkney and Shetland Islands between 18 and 20 February.