ubootwaffe.net

[Guest]

Rohwer (and this website) lists the Norwegian Litiopa as torpedoed by U-68 on Oct. 22-1943. According to survivors' reports she was shelled only (trawler Orfasy was sunk just previously). The survivors reports also state that there were up to 3 U-boats in on the action (2 witnesses say they saw 3) - my question is, was U-68 alone in the area at the time (06 18N 11 55W), or were there actually other U-boats present? Also, does anybody have the KTB for U-68 indicating Litiopa was indeed torpedoed as opposed to just shelled?

Siri

[Siri]

Forgot to say - here's my current text for this ship http://www.warsailors.com/singleships/litiopa.html

Siri

[Roland Berr]

Hi Siri

This sinking must have been a really frustrating event for LAUZEMIS. He sighted the LITIOPA in the evening of 21. at 20.00h. He wrote about a shadow ahead followed by two PCs. At 23.53h he fired two torpedos against the tanker and one more against a corvette. The two against the tanker are commented with one word NOTHING. The third one sunk the ORFASAY. At 00.40h on 22. he fired an FAT against the LITIOPA, which passed behind the ship. At 02.11h U-68 fired its fourth torpedo, this one was a misfire. At 02.14h U-68 was shaken by an explosion behind the boat. LAUZEMIS guiessed it was his last torpedo. His comment: Its enough. All clear for gunattack. At 04.27 U-68 begun to fire with all guns. The 10.5 cm fired against the machinery, the Vierlingsflak took LITIOPAS backward gun under fire, the double flaks fired at the bridge. There was no fire from the tanker, the crew left the ship. At 04.48h U-68 fired a cdg torpedo which became a Kreisläufer. At 04.59h the u-boat continued wis artillery fire. At 05.41 another torpedo was shot, again a failure. At 05.52h U-68 fired the last torpedo, again with no result. From 06.00h till 06.27 LAUZEMIS continued with artillery fire. Alltogether there had been 58 rounds by 10.5 cm with minimum 50 hits. The boat left the scene with LITIOPA burning and in sinking condition.
There is no other sub mentioned! The nearest boat on that day was U-103 in position FD 23.

Best regards
Roland Berr

[Hubertus]

Hello Siri & Roland.
It is great to see your 2 postings giving such a insight on the attack on Litiopa.
Wish there was info like that for all attacks.
Very well done

Cheers Herb.

[Siri]

Well, I must say - is it any wonder the survivors of Litiopa thought there was at least 3 U-boats attacking! Sounds like quite a night for both parties involved.

Thanks Roland, I shall incorporate this into my text.

And as a response to your statement, Hubertus - wouldn't it be great if someone had the time (and stamina) to create a website that gives details of each and every sinking from both sides?

Siri

[Hubertus]

Hi Siri.
From what i can see you are trying to do just that, keep up the good work.
You use links to other site well.
Maybe you could also give the ubootwaffe links on your site, i see Howard gives links to your's too.

Have a good easter break,
Herb.

[Siri]

Maybe you haven't noticed but I actually do have links to this site all over the place.

Siri

[Hubertus]

Hello Siri,
Forgive me for i have had little time to visit other sites lately, u-crews keep me very busy.
Keep up the good work on your site.

Regards Hubertus.