U-223

Type

VIIC

Ordered

15 Aug 1940

Laid down

15 Jul 1941

F. Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel (werk 653)

Launched

16 Apr 1942

Commissioned

6 Jun 1942

Oblt. 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)

Successes

2 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.