U-543
Type | IXC/40 | |||
| Ordered | 5 Jun 1941 | |||
| Laid down | 3 Jul 1942 | Deutsche Werft AG, Hamburg (werk 364) | ||
| Launched | 3 Feb 1943 | |||
| Commissioned | 21 Apr 1943 | Kptlt. Hans-Jürgen Hellriegel | ||
| Commanders |
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| Career | 2 patrols | 21 Apr 1943 - 31 Oct 1943 4. Flottille (training) 1 Nov 1943 - 2 Jul 1944 10. Flottille (front boat) | ||
| Successes | No ships sunk or damaged | |||
| Fate | Sunk 2 July, 1944 in the mid-Atlantic south-west of Tenerife, in position 25.34N, 21.36W, by depth charges & a homing torpedo from Avenger aircraft (VC-58) of the US escort carrier USS Wake Island. 58 dead (all hands lost). | |||
Attacks on this boat
9 Apr 1944
The boat found a small convoy but its escorts drove the boat off with depth charges. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 556)
19 Apr 1944
After refueling from the U-488 the U-543 was located by an Avenger aircraft (pilot C. B. Humphrey) from the escort carrier Tripoli. The Avenger fired rockets and finally a Fido homing torpedo but the boat escaped. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 557)
2 recorded attacks on this boat.
Schnorchel-fitted U-boat
This boat was fitted with a Schnorchel underwater-breathing apparatus in February 1944. Read more about the Schnorchel and see list of fitted boats.
Men lost from U-boats
Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-543 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.
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