U BOATS IN ACTION SOUTH ATLANTIC - U A U 87

7)U-68

Ordered - 7 Aug 1939

Laid down - 20 Apr 1940  AG Weser, Bremen (werk 987)

Launched - 22 Oct 1940

Commissioned 11/Feb/41, U-68 a type IX-C  Kptlt. Karl-Friedrich Merten (Oak Leaves)

Commanders

11 Feb 1941- 21 Jan 1943  KrvKpt. Kptlt. Karl-Friedrich Merten (Knights Cross)

21 Jan 1943 -16 Jun 1943  Oblt. Albert Lauzemis (German Cross in Gold)

14 Jun 1943 - Jul, 1943  Oblt. Ekkerhard Scherraus

Jul, 193-29 Jul 1943  Oblt. Gerhard Seehausen (German Cross in Gold)

30 Jul 1943-10 Apr 1944  Oblt. Oblt. Albert Lauzemis (German Cross in Gold)

Career 

10 patrols   

Feb 1941-31 May 1941  2. Flotille (training)

1 Jun 1941-10 Apr 1944  2. Flotille (active service)

Successes

32 ships for a total of 197,453 GRT

1 auxiliary warship sunk for a total of 545 GR

Sunk 10 Apr 1944 north-west of Madeira, Portugal, in position 33º24"N 18º59"W, by depth charges and rockets from Avenger and Wildcat aircraft of the US escort carrier USS Guadalcanal (VC-58).

56 Dead

1 Survivor

By www.uboat.net

She was the most successful U-boat which operated in the south Atlantic sinking 24 ships for a total of 122,718 tons. 

ALLENDE - HAZELSIDE - BRADFORD CITY - DARKDALE - HELENUS- BALUCHISTAN - BARON NEWLANDS -ILE DE BATZ - SCOTTISH PRINCE - MUNCASTER CASTLE - TREVILLEY - BREEDIJK -KOUMOUNDOUROS - GAASTERKERK - SWIFTSURE - SARTHE - EXAMELIA - BELGIAN FIGHTER - CITY OF CAIRO - ORFASY - LITIOPA - FORT DE VAUX - NEW COLUMBIA

 ALLENDE

DARKDALE

 HAZELSIDE

 BRADFORD CITY

 HELENUS

 BALUCHISTAN (SISTER SHIP TURKISTAN)

 BARON NEWLANDS

ILE DE BATZ

 SCOTTISH PRINCE

 MUNCASTER CASTLE

 TREVILLEY

BREEDIJK

KOUMOUNDOUROS

GAASTERKERK

SWIFTSURE

 SARTHE

EXAMELIA

 BELGIAN FIGHTER

 CITY OF CAIRO

 HMS ORFASY

 LITIOPA

 FORT DE VAUX

 NEW COLUMBIA

FOLLOWING PAGES ON THE SAME ARTICLE

5)U 65

6)U 66

8)U 69

9)U 87