List of all U-boats

U-542

Type

IXC/40

 
Ordered5 Jun 1941
Laid down12 Jun 1942 Deutsche Werft AG, Hamburg (werk 363)
Launched19 Jan 1943
Commissioned7 Apr 1943Oblt. Christian-Brandt Coester
Commanders
7 Apr 1943 - 28 Nov 1943  Oblt. Christian-Brandt Coester
Career
1 patrol
7 Apr 1943-30 Sep 1943  4. Flottille (training)
1 Oct 1943-28 Nov 1943  10. Flottille (active service)
SuccessesNo ships sunk or damaged
Fate

Sunk on 28 November 1943 in the North Atlantic north-east of the Azores, in position 39.35N, 19.51W, by depth charges from a British Wellington aircraft (179 Sqn RAF/H). 56 dead (all hands lost). (Axel Niestlé, September 1990).

Loss position

View the 1 war patrol

Previously recorded fate

  • Sunk by the British Wellington (RAF 179/L) on 28 Nov, 1943 in position 39.04N, 16.25W. (Postwar assessment)
    Notes. This attack instead caused minor damages to the U-391.

Wolfpack operations

U-542 operated with the following Wolfpacks during its career:
   Eisenhart 1 (9 Nov 1943 - 15 Nov 1943)
   Schill 3 (18 Nov 1943 - 22 Nov 1943)
   Weddigen (22 Nov 1943 - 28 Nov 1943)

Men lost from U-boats

Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-542 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.


Media links


German U-Boat Losses During World War II

Niestle, Axel


U-Boat Operations of the Second World War - Vol 2

Wynn, Kenneth


Hitler's U-boat War, Vol II

Blair, Clay




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