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| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
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| Kriegsmarine Type IXC / 40 1,120 Tons (surfaced) 1,232 Tons (submerged) 252 x 22' 8" x 31' 6" 6 x torpedo tubes 4 bow, 2 stern with 22 torpedoes 1 x 105/45mm deck gun 2 x AA gun |
Sub History Built by Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau AG in Bremen. Ordered August 15, 1940. Laid down March 15, 1941 as Type IXC / 40 werk nummer 707. Launched March 5, 1942 as I-168. Commissioned September 10, 1942 in the Kriegsmarine (German Navy) under the command of Kapitänleutnant Helmut Pich. On September 10, 1942 assigned to 4 Flottille for a training cruise until February 28, 1943. On March 1, 1943 assigned to 2 Flottile. First War Patrol On March 9, 1943 departs Kiel on her first war patrol. On March 21, 1943 assigned to Wolfpack Seeteufel (Sea Devil) for the next nine days. On April 1, 1943 assigned to Wolfpack Löwenherz (Lion Heart) for ten days. On April 10, 1943 assigned to Wolfpack Lerche (Lark) for five days. On April 21, 1943 assigned to Wolfpack Specht. On May 4, 1943 assigned to Wolfpack Fink (Finch) for two days. On May 18, 1943 arrives Lorient in France ending the patrol that lasted 71 days. Second War Patrol On July 3, 1943 departs Lorient on her second war patrol on a voyage bound for the Far East. On October 2, 1943 sunk British Steam merchant Haiching (2,183 tons) west of Mumbai in India. On November 3, 1943 trailing Allied convoy MB-53 off Cochin (Kochi) in southwest India when spotted by Royal Air Force (RAAF) PBY Catalina piloted by J. Gowans, RCAF from No. 413 Squadron astern of convoy MB-53 and dropped four 250 lb depth charges. Evading, U-168 turning hard to port and sustained slight damage to the stern torpedo tubes and returns anti-aircraft fire that damaged the flying boat then dives to evade and continues to the Far East. The Catalina pilot earned the DFC for his actions. After ten minutes, U-168 dives to evade further attacks and continues on her voyage to the Far East. On November 11. 1943 arrives Penang ending her patrol after 132 days. In the Far East, patrols the Indian Ocean and uses Japanese bases in Malay and Netherlands East Indies (NEI) to refuel and resupply. On January 28, 1944 departs Penang without results. On February 3, 1944 returned Penang after a week at sea. Third War Patrol On February 7, 1944 departs Penang on her third war patrol. On February 14, 1944 sinks HMS Salviking. On February 15, 1944 sinks Greek Steam merchant Epaminondas C. Embiricos. On February 21, 1944 sinks Norwegian Motor tanker Fenris. On March 24, 1944 arrives Batavia (Jakarta). ending the patrol after 47 days. On October 1, 1944 assigned to 33 Flottille (Monsun Gruppe). Before departing on their next patrol, the crew had a farewell party that included taking their Indonesian girlfriends aboard the U-Boat. Fourth War Patrol On October 5, 1944 departed Batavia (Jakarta) on her fourth patrol bound for Soerabaja to rendezvous with U-537 and U-862 to patrol off Australia. Sinking History On October 6, 1944 at 1:30pm in the Java Sea off the north coast of Java, spotted by HrMs Zwaardvisch (P 322) that fires six torpedoes with one hitting and sinking U-168 and sinks bow first at roughly Lat 6°20'S Long 111°28'E. During the sinking, 23 of the were lost and 27 survived. Fates of the Crew Afterwards, HrMs Zwaardvisch (P 322) rescued the 27 survivors who became Prisoners Of War (POW). This included three officers, one WO and the medical officer and the LI escaped from the submarine from a depth of 120' without any breathing apparatus. These prisoners remained aboard the Dutch vessel while the rest were placed on a nearby fishing vessel and set free, and eventually reached the coast of Java. The prisoners claimed three torpedoes hit them but only one exploded. References UBoat.net - U-168 UBoat.net - Patrols by U-168 Uboat.net - The Monsun boats operations in the Indian Ocean Contribute
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 6.20S 111.28E Aprox |
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