U-543

Type

Sunk on 2 July 1944 in the North Atlantic south-west of Canary Islands, in position 25.34N, 21.36W, by depth charges and a Fido homing torpedo from an Avenger aircraft (VC-58 USN/T-30) of the US escort carrier USS Wake Island. 58 dead (all hands lost).

Loss position

View the 2 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-543 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Coronel (4 Dec 1943 - 8 Dec 1943)
   Coronel 2 (8 Dec 1943 - 14 Dec 1943)
   Coronel 3 (14 Dec 1943 - 17 Dec 1943)

Attacks on this boat and other events

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 refuelling from U-488 in mid Atlantic near the Tropic of Cancer, U-543 was located by an Avenger aircraft (pilot C. B. Humphrey) from the escort carrier USS Tripoli. The Avenger fired rockets and a Fido homing torpedo, but the boat escaped unharmed. (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.