List of all U-boats

U-223

Type

VIIC

 
Ordered15 Aug 1940
Laid down15 Jul 1941 F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel (werk 653)
Launched16 Apr 1942
Commissioned6 Jun 1942Oblt. Karl-Jürgen Wächter
Commanders
6 Jun 1942 - 12 Jan 1944  Kptlt. Karl-Jürg Wächter (German Cross in Gold)
12 Jan 1944 - 30 Mar 1944  Oblt. Peter Gerlach
Career
6 patrols
6 Jun 1942-31 Jan 1943  8. Flottille (training)
1 Feb 1943-31 Oct 1943  6. Flottille (active service)
1 Nov 1943-30 Mar 1944  29. Flottille (active service)
Successes2 ships sunk, total tonnage 12,556 GRT
1 warship sunk, total tonnage 1,935 tons
1 ship a total loss, total tonnage 4,970 GRT
1 warship a total loss, total tonnage 1,300 tons
Fate

Sunk on 30 March 1944 in the Mediterranean Sea north-east of Palermo, in position 38.48N, 14.10E, by depth charges from the British destroyers HMS Laforey and HMS Tumult and the British escort destroyers HMS Hambledon and HMS Blencathra. 23 dead and 27 survivors.

Loss position

See the 5 ships hit by U-223 - View the 6 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-223 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Haudegen (26 Jan 1943 - 2 Feb 1943)
   Nordsturm (2 Feb 1943 - 9 Feb 1943)
   Haudegen (9 Feb 1943 - 15 Feb 1943)
   Taifun (15 Feb 1943 - 20 Feb 1943)
   Amsel (22 Apr 1943 - 3 May 1943)
   Amsel 2 (3 May 1943 - 6 May 1943)
   Elbe (7 May 1943 - 10 May 1943)
   Elbe 2 (10 May 1943 - 12 May 1943)

Attacks on this boat and other events

1 Mar 1943
At 12.42 hours, the boat was attacked by the British Fortress Mk.II FL463 (59 Sqdn RAF/D, pilot F/O N. Barson) in the North Atlantic. AA fire hit the aircraft during the attack run and the seven depth charges overshot. U-223 then crash-dived and escaped with only light damage. The Fortress had been more badly hit, but made it back to base. (Sources: Franks/Zimmerman)

11 May 1943
The British destroyer HMS Hesperus brought U-223 to the surface by depth charging and then rammed her. Two men were lost overboard: one died, but the other was rescued by U-359 and returned to U-223 on 14 May (U-359 had managed to escape the destroyer's attacks unscathed). U-223 was left unable to dive, but returned to port on 24 May. She did not sail again until 14 Sept, while still under repair. [Matrosengefreiter Heinz Hoog]

2 recorded attacks on this boat.

Men lost from the boat

11 May 1943
The British destroyer HMS Hesperus brought U-223 to the surface by depth charging and then rammed her. Two men were lost overboard: one died, but the other was rescued by U-359 and returned to U-223 on 14 May (U-359 had managed to escape the destroyer's attacks unscathed). U-223 was left unable to dive, but returned to port on 24 May. She did not sail again until 14 Sept, while still under repair. [Matrosengefreiter Heinz Hoog]

  Related: For more info on such losses see - Men lost from U-boats -

U-boat Emblems

We have 1 emblem entry for this boat. See the emblem page for this boat or view emblems individually below.


Cup and Dice on a Shield

Media links


U-Boat Attack Logs

Daniel Morgan and Bruce Taylor


amazon.co.uk
(£ 38.25)


The Twilight of the U-Boats

Edwards, Bernard


Sea of Glory

Wales, Ken


Hitler's U-boat War, Vol II

Blair, Clay


German U-Boat Losses During World War II

Niestle, Axel


U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 1

Wynn, Kenneth




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