U-542

Type

IXC/40

 
Ordered5 Jun 1941
Laid down 12 Jun 1942 Deutsche Werft AG, Hamburg (werk 363)
Launched19 Jan 1943
Commissioned7 Apr 1943Oblt. Christian-Brandt Coester
Commanders
7 Apr 1943 - 28 Nov 1943  Oblt. Christian-Brandt Coester
Career1 patrol 7 Apr 1943 - 30 Sep 1943  4. Flottille (training)
1 Oct 1943 - 28 Nov 1943  10. Flottille (front boat)
SuccessesNo ships sunk or damaged
Fate

Sunk 28 Nov, 1943 north of Madeira, Portugal, in position 39.03N, 16.25W, by depth charges from a British Wellington aircraft with "Leigh light" (Sqdn. 179/H). 56 dead (all hands lost).

View the 1 war patrol

Previously recorded fate
(Last revised by Axel Niestlé during September 1990. More on revised fates.

The attack by the British Wellington (RAF 179/L) on 28 Nov, 1943 in position 39.04N, 16.25W formerly credited with the loss of this boat instead caused minor damages to the U-391.

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-542 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.



U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 2

Wynn, Kenneth


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Books dealing with this subject include:

German U-Boat Losses During World War II. Niestle, Axel, 1998.
Hitler's U-boat War. Blair, Clay, 1996.
Hitler's U-boat War, Vol II. Blair, Clay, 1998.
U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 1. Wynn, Kenneth, 1998.
U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 2. Wynn, Kenneth, 1998.