Joachim Berger

Kapitänleutnant (Crew 34)

Successes
5 ships sunk, total tonnage 38,014 GRT

Born	23 Jun 1913		Berlin
Died	4 Mar 1943	(29)	North Atlantic

Ranks

8 Apr 1934		Offiziersanwärter
1 Jul 1935		Fähnrich zur See
1 Jan 1937		Oberfähnrich zur See
1 Apr 1937		Leutnant zur See
1 Apr 1939		Oberleutnant zur See
1 Nov 1941		Kapitänleutnant

Decorations

30 Jan 1942		Iron Cross 2nd Class
28 Mar 1942		U-boat War Badge 1939
9 Jul 1942		Iron Cross 1st Class

U-boat Commands

U-boat	From	To
U-87	19 Aug 1941	4 Mar 1943 (+)	5 patrols (260 days)

Joachim Berger joined the German Navy (Reichsmarine) in 1934. He served as a training officer on the 2nd torpedo boat flotilla from Oct to Nov 1939 when he served he in a staff position until April 1940 when he joined the staff of Naval Commander Molde until March 1941. During March and April he was a relief instructor with the Naval Gunnery School.

Joachim Berger served with the 24th Flotilla from April to May 1941. He went through his U-boat Commander training and U-boat familiarization (Baubelehrung) from May to August 1941.

On 19 August 1941 Oblt. Joachim Berger commissioned the new type VIIB boat U-87. He commanded this boat for more than 18 months, during which he went out on 5 patrols, 260 days at sea, all over the North Atlantic - including a patrol to US waters in May - July 1942. He sank 5 ships with a total of over 38,000 GRT.

Kplt. Joachim Berger was killed along with his entire crew of 49 men when the boat was sunk on 4 March 1943 west of Leixoes, in position 41.36N, 13.31W, by depth charges from the Canadian corvette HMCS Shediac and the Canadian destroyer HMCS St. Croix (Niestlé, 1998).

Sources

Busch, R. and Röll, H-J. (1998). German U-boat commanders of World War II.
Niestle, A. (1998). German U-boat losses during World War II.

Patrol info for Joachim Berger

	U-boat	Departure		Arrival
1.	U-87	24 Dec 1941	Kiel	30 Jan 1942	La Pallice	Patrol 1,	38 days
2.	U-87	22 Feb 1942	La Pallice	27 Mar 1942	St. Nazaire	Patrol 2,	34 days
3.	U-87	19 May 1942	St. Nazaire	8 Jul 1942	St. Nazaire	Patrol 3,	51 days
4.	U-87	31 Aug 1942	St. Nazaire	20 Nov 1942	Brest	Patrol 4,	82 days
5.	U-87	9 Jan 1943	Brest	4 Mar 1943	Sunk	Patrol 5,	55 days
5 patrols, 260 days at sea

Ships hit by Joachim Berger

Date	U-boat	Name of ship	Tons		Convoy
31 Dec 1941	U-87	Cardita	8,237	br	HX-166

17 Jan 1942	U-87	Nyholt	8,087	nw	ON-52
16 Jun 1942	U-87	Port Nicholson	8,402	br	XB-25
16 Jun 1942	U-87	Cherokee	5,896	am	XB-25
11 Oct 1942	U-87	Agapenor	7,392	br
			38,014
5 ships sunk (38,014 tons). Legend We have a picture of this vessel.