U-168

Type

IXC/40

Ordered

15 Aug 1940

Laid down

15 Mar 1941

Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau AG, Bremen (werk 707)

Launched

5 Mar 1942

Commissioned

10 Sep 1942

Kptlt. Helmut Pich

Commanders

10 Sep 1942

6 Oct 1944

Kptlt. Helmuth Pich

Career
4 patrols

10 Sep 1942	-	28 Feb 1943	4. Flottille (training)
1 Mar 1943	-	30 Sep 1944	2. Flottille (active service)
1 Oct 1944	-	6 Oct 1944	33. Flottille (active service)

Successes

2 ships sunk, total tonnage 6,568 GRT
1 auxiliary warship sunk, total tonnage 1,440 GRT
1 ship damaged, total tonnage 9,804 GRT

Fate

Sunk at 0130hrs on 6 October 1944 in the Java Sea north-west of Soerabaja, in position 06.20S, 111.28E, by a torpedo from the Dutch submarine HrMs Zwaardvisch. 23 dead and 27 survivors.

Loss position

See the 4 ships hit by U-168 - View the 4 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-168 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Seeteufel (21 Mar 1943 - 30 Mar 1943)
   Löwenherz (1 Apr 1943 - 10 Apr 1943)
   Lerche (10 Apr 1943 - 15 Apr 1943)
   Specht (21 Apr 1943 - 4 May 1943)
   Fink (4 May 1943 - 6 May 1943)

Attacks on this boat and other events

3 Nov 1943
22.10 hrs local time, off Cochin (now Kochi), India: A Catalina flying boat (413 Sqn RCAF/Y, pilot J. Gowans) located U-168 on radar in darkness astern of convoy MB-53. A stick of four 250lb depth charges dropped as the U-boat evaded with a hard turn to port straddled the stern, and caused leaks and damage to the stern torpedo tubes. The aircrafts empennage was slightly damaged by flak as the port blister gun returned fire until the U-boat dived 10 minutes later. U-168 afterwards made directly for Penang and thus avoided an intense air search of the area of the attack over the next five days. The pilot was subsequently awarded a DFC for his actions. (Sources: AIR 25/931)

1 recorded attack on this boat.

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-168 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.