German submarine U-542

German submarine U-542 was a Type IXC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

She was laid down at the Deutsche Werft (yard) in Hamburg as yard number 363 on 12 June 1942, launched on 19 January 1943 and commissioned on 7 April with Oberleutnant zur See Christian-Brandt Coester in command.

U-542 began her service career with training as part of the 4th U-boat Flotilla from 7 April 1943. She was reassigned to the 10th flotilla for operations on 1 October.

She carried out one patrol and did not sink any ships. She was a member of three wolfpacks.

She was sunk on 28 November 1943 north of Madeira by a British aircraft.

Design
German Type IXC/40 submarines were slightly larger than the original Type IXCs. U-542 had a displacement of 1144 t when at the surface and 1257 t while submerged. The U-boat had a total length of 76.76 m, a pressure hull length of 58.75 m, a beam of 6.86 m, a height of 9.60 m, and a draught of 4.67 m. The submarine was powered by two MAN M 9 V 40/46 supercharged four-stroke, nine-cylinder diesel engines producing a total of 4400 PS for use while surfaced, two Siemens-Schuckert 2 GU 345/34 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 1000 shp for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.92 m propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 230 m.

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 18.3 kn and a maximum submerged speed of 7.3 kn. When submerged, the boat could operate for 63 nmi at 4 kn; when surfaced, she could travel 13850 nmi at 10 kn. U-542 was fitted with six 53.3 cm torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and two at the stern), 22 torpedoes, one 10.5 cm SK C/32 naval gun, 180 rounds, and a 3.7 cm SK C/30 as well as a 2 cm C/30 anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of forty-eight.

Patrol and loss
The boat departed Kiel on 21 October 1943, moved through the North Sea, negotiated the gap between Iceland and the Faroe Islands and entered the Atlantic Ocean.

She was sunk on 28 November 1943 north of Madeira by depth charges dropped from a British Vickers Wellington of No. 179 Squadron RAF.

Fifty-six men died; there were no survivors.

Wolfpacks
U-542 took part in three wolfpacks, namely:
 * Eisenhart 1 (9 – 15 November 1943)
 * Schill 3 (18 – 22 November 1943)
 * Weddigen (22 – 28 November 1943)