Joachim Berger

Joachim Berger
Born (1913-06-23)23 June 1913
Berlin, German Empire
Died 4 March 1943(1943-03-04) (aged 29)
North Atlantic Ocean
Allegiance  Nazi Germany
Service/branch  Reichsmarine
 Kriegsmarine
Years of service 1934–43
Rank Kapitänleutnant
Commands held U-87
Battles/wars World War II
Awards U-boat War Badge 1939, Iron Cross 1st Class

Joachim Berger (23 June 1913 – 4 March 1943)[1] was a German U-boat commander in World War II.

Naval career

Joachim Berger joined the Reichsmarine in 1934. He served as a training officer on the 2nd torpedo boat flotilla from October to November 1939. From November 1939 to April 1940 he held a staff position. From April 1940 to March 1941, Berger served on the staff of Naval Commander Molde. From March to April 1941 he was a relief instructor with the Naval Gunnery School. From April to May 1941, Berger served with the 24th U-boat Flotilla and went through his U-boat Commander training and U-boat familiarization (Baubelehrung) from May to August 1941. On 19 August 1941 Berger commissioned the new Type VIIB boat U-87. He commanded this boat for more than 18 months, during which he went out on five patrols, 260 days at sea, all over the North Atlantic - including a patrol to US waters from May to July 1942. He sank five ships with a total of over 38,000 gross register tons (GRT).

Death

Berger was killed along with his entire crew of 49 men when the boat was sunk[2] on 4 March 1943 west of Leixões, Portugal, in position 41°36′N 13°31′W / 41.600°N 13.517°W / 41.600; -13.517Coordinates: 41°36′N 13°31′W / 41.600°N 13.517°W / 41.600; -13.517, by depth charges from the Canadian corvette Shediac and the Canadian destroyer St. Croix.

Summary of Career

Ships attacked

DateShipNationalityTonnageFate
31 December 1941 Cardita United Kingdom8,237 Sunk
17 January 1942 Nyholt Norway8,087 Sunk
16 June 1942 Port Nicholson United Kingdom8,402 Sunk
16 June 1942 Cherokee United States5,896 Sunk
11 October 1942 Agapenor United Kingdom7,392 Sunk

Awards

References

Notes
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