Action of 23 April 1945

Last updated
Action of 23 April 1945
Part of the Pacific Theater of World War II
USS Besugo;0832101.jpg
USS Besugo underway
Date23 April 1945
Location04.50S, 112.52E
Result American victory
Belligerents
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg  United States Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg  Germany
Commanders and leaders
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Herman MillerWar ensign of Germany (1938-1945).svg Fritz Schneewind 
Strength
1 submarine 1 submarine
Casualties and losses
None 54 killed
1 captured
1 submarine sunk

The action of 23 April 1945 was a submarine engagement of World War II that occurred in the Java Sea between Nazi Germany and the United States. It resulted in the last sinking of a German U-boat in Asian waters during the Pacific War and was one of only a few actions of the theater involving German forces.

Contents

Action

USS Besugo, under the command of Lieutenant Commander Herman Edward Miller, made radar contact with U-183 at about 01:00 off the southern coast of Borneo while patrolling the area. Underwater, the Americans fired a spread of torpedoes and one struck the U-boat which had a Japanese flag painted on the side. The German submarine sank quickly at position 04°50′S112°52′E / 4.833°S 112.867°E / -4.833; 112.867 with 54 men still aboard, including Kapitänleutnant (Lieutenant Commander) Fritz Schneewind. Afterward, the Americans surfaced and rescued one wounded German warrant officer and took him prisoner. [1]

See also

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