U-168

Type

IXC/40

Ordered

15 Aug, 1940

Laid down

15 Mar, 1941

Seebeck, 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 (front boat)
1 Oct, 1944 - 6 Oct, 1944  33. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

2 ships sunk for a total of 6.568 GRT
1 auxiliary warship sunk for a total of 1.440 GRT
1 ship damaged for a total of 9.804 GRT

Fate

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

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:
   Lowenherz (3 Apr, 1943 - 7 Apr, 1943)
   Lerche (11 Apr, 1943 - 13 Apr, 1943)
   Specht (27 Apr, 1943 - 4 May, 1943)
   Fink (4 May, 1943 - 6 May, 1943)

Attacks on this boat

4 Nov, 1943
An unidentified Catalina aircraft attacked the boat. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 402)

1 recorded attacks 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.