U-468

Type

VIIC

Ordered

15 Aug, 1940

Laid down

1 Jul, 1941

Deutsche Werke, Kiel (werk 299)

Launched

16 May, 1942

Commissioned

12 Aug, 1942

Oblt. Klemens Schamong

Commanders

12 Aug, 1942 - 11 Aug, 1943

Klemens Schamong

Career

3 patrols

12 Aug, 1942 - 31 Jan, 1943 5. Flottille (training)
1 Feb, 1943 - 11 Aug, 1943 3. Flottille (front boat)

Successes

1 ship sunk for a total of 6.537 GRT

Fate

Sunk 11 Aug, 1943 near Bathurst, in position 12.20N, 20.07W, by depth charges from a British Liberator aircraft (Sqdn. 200/D), which was shot down by U-468. 44 dead and 7 survivors.

See the 1 ships hit by U-468 - View the 3 war patrols

Wolfpack operations

U-468 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Ritter (14 Feb, 1943 - 26 Feb, 1943)
   Raubgraf (7 Mar, 1943 - 14 Mar, 1943)
   Rhein (8 May, 1943 - 11 May, 1943)
   Elbe I (11 May, 1943 - 13 May, 1943)

Attacks on this boat

14 Mar, 1943
While shadowing convoy ON 170 the boat was attacked and held down for hours by the corvette Gentian causing the boat to loose contact with the convoy. Date is approximate. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 259)

22 May, 1943
The boat was attacked by an Avenger aircraft from the escort carrier USS Bogue (pilot Roger C. Kuhn) causing severe damages and forcing the boat to abandon patrol - arriving in France on May 29. (Sources: Blair, vol 2, page 336)

11 Aug, 1943
Aircraft attack, aircraft shot down:British B-24 Liberator (Sqdn 200/D). No survivors from aircraft. The boat was lost in this attack.

3 recorded attacks on this boat.

General notes on this boat

Incredible bravery
The pilot of the B-24 Liberator, Flying Officer Lloyd Trigg RNZAF, that sank the U-468 but perished with his entire crew in the attack was awarded the Victoria Cross based solely on the testimony of the officers of the U-boat, including its commander Klemens Schamong. This was the only such case in the war where a statement from the enemy resulted in such a high decoration. The aircraft pressed home its attack even though it was extremely low and on fire, a case of incredible bravery.

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-468 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.