Unterseeboot 468

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Unterseeboot 468 or U-468 was a Nazi German U-Boat that served during World War II. It was first launched on May 16th, 1942, with a crew of 49, under the command of Klemens Schamong. It was only on active patrol for just over seven months before it was sunk by allied aircraft. [1]

[edit] Combat record

U-468 set out on its first active patrol on January 28th, 1943. On March 12th, 1943, U-468 came into contact with allied convoy ON-168. The U-Boat shadowed the convoy, and sank the British 6,537 ton Empire Light. After resupplying at La Pallice, U-468 set out again on May 19th, 1943.

On May 22nd at 08:35 hrs it came under allied attack from United States Navy squadron VC-9, suffering minor damage. Again that same day, at 09:32 hrs, it was attacked by more aircraft from the same squadron, being moderately damaged. Then, at 15:57 hrs, that same day it was attacked a third time by aircraft from Fleet Air Arm 19 squadron. It defended itself in each attack with its deck guns, without damaging the aircraft.

On August 11th, 1943, under the command of Klemens Schamong, U-468 was attacked and sunk by an allied aircraft off the coast of The Gambia. In this action, Flying Officer Lloyd Allan Trigg, (RNZAF) pressed home the attack even though his B-24 aircraft was damaged and subsequently crashed, killing everyone aboard. Flying Officer Trigg was awarded the Victoria Cross for this deed, based solely on the testimony of the German survivors of the attack. This is the only time such a decoration has been awarded solely on the testimony of an "enemy".[1] Note that while the heroics of Glowworm were noted by the enemy, 31 of the destroyer's crew survived to be witnesses.

New Zealand researcher Arthur Arculus recently tracked down the German commander Klemens Schamong, who lives today near Kiel.[2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur (2006). U-468. uboat.net web site. Retrieved on 2006-10-02.
  2. ^ U-boat captain who shot down NZ VC-winner found. NZPA. Retrieved on 2007-11-25.
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