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© Robert N Baird
The Exmouth's stern light was still in sight of the Cyprian Prince at 04.44hrs when Clark heard one explosion, and thinking Exmouth was dropping depth charges, called Captain Wilson, who was in his bunk, to the bridge. Wilson had arrived on the bridge when, at 04.48hrs there was a second detonation, which Clark described as "a terrific explosion, much louder than the first"... more
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© Dr Axel Niestlé
...two partly corrupt war emergency reports obviously originating from German U-boats were monitored by German and Allied radio stations. At first a corrupt signal was received at 0539 on 16 January on 'Diana' service, stating 'torpedo hit, boat seriously damaged, is sinking, can only be held for a short time'...
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by Hans Goebeler and John Vanzo, excerpt provided courtesy of Savas Beatie, all copyrights apply
Things remained quiet until about 1514 hours, when suddenly the siren for manning the anti-aircraft guns began to blare. Almost simultaneously, the shrill alarm signaling an emergency dive sounded. We all looked at each other in puzzlement because the orders were contradictory: how could we man the deck guns while at the same time submerge? more
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© Arthur Baudzus
They were all men in the prime of their lives, the best a nation had to offer, their dreams and expectations cut short by the cruel events of a war. Three out of every four U-boat men were to lose their young lives while I am one of the one in four to survive and see the end of it... more
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© Arthur Baudzus
Before I can swing through the hatch, I am stopped by the fiery gas of the torpedo which had hit our boat midships, breaking it in two, and the next moment a metre-thick water jet sluices into our quarters. In just a few seconds our room is flooded... more
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There has been great interest in the Museum of Science and Industry's current restoration of U-505. With perfect timing, this newly released book will help fill a gap in people's knowledge of the U-boat war in general, and U-505's remarkable history in particular. more
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© Walter Jones
When we abandoned ship, I climbed down a cargo net and dropped into the water with thoughts of swimming away from the ship to avoid being sucked under. Anti Submarine ships were dropping depth-charges around the area and two or three other ships were exploding from hits. more
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by Jordan Vause, courtesy of Savas Beatie, all copyrights apply
Lange tried to exit as fast as possible, was severely wounded in the attempt, declined to try to defend a doomed boat, and instead issued the command to abandon ship. It was his penultimate decision and perhaps his most controversial, for once the crew abandoned the boat it was much more vulnerable to being captured. Should he instead have ordered the crew to stay on board and fight back? more
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Theodore P Savas is the editor of
Hunt and Kill — U-505 and the U-boat War in the Atlantic.
In the wake of the success of Silent Hunters he has again brought together a team of first class U-Boat experts: Topp, Paterson, Mulligan, Rust, Showell, Vause, Wise and Gill. Each one of these authors can stand alone, but when Savas puts them together the result entirely surpasses the usual U-Boat book.
I asked him some questions about the book, the writers involved, and the subject. Oh, and what about the time he ordered around a certain Admiral...
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Although not strictly speaking an article, this is a transcribed Admiralty interrogation report of the survivors of U-434. It makes for interesting reading, especially seeing how much the allies knew about U-Boat operations and "clandestine" supply ships. The extensive list of supplies taken aboard at one of these ships is given, along with a crew list.
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Initial Hydrophone Effect (H.E.) contact was gained at 2114 hours by Loch Killin, with the U-boat only 2200 yards ahead traveling at 4 knots. The U-boat was reported to have been a very distinctive contact to the attackers on board the Loch Killin. It seems that U-1063 took no evasive action until or just prior to the first squid attack from the frigate.
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Sending the Royal Navy's 12,850 ton auxiliary aircraft carrier HMS Avenger to the bottom of the Atlantic was a prize strike for 32-year-old, Knights Cross-decorated U-Boat Kapitänleutnant Adolf Piening...
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As darkness fell, Dunvegan Castle decreased speed, but she was easily visible, the night sky making a clear
shadow of her form. Endrass prepared to attack, but Dunvegan Castle became aware of U46's presence and commenced a strong but short
course of zigzags... more
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