From there, the wolfpack would operate against the western coast of Australia, but before meeting the other U-boats, U-168 was discovered on the surface by the T-class HNLMS Zwaardvisch off the coast of Java in the Java Sea.
Dari sana, sekelompok kapal selam penyerang akan beroperasi melawan pantai barat Australia, namun sebelum bertemu U-boot lainnya, U-168 ditemukan di permukaan oleh HNLMS Zwaardvisch kelas T di lepas pantai Jawa di Laut Jawa.