“U-boat Archive”

by

An interesting Web resource that “was created to make records and photographs available to those who want to learn more about the battle between Germany’s U-boats and Allied anti-submarine forces during World War II.”

Here

It comes to us via Belmont Club commenter Eggplant, who says:

In particular read the British Admiralty records concerning the different U-boats that the British destroyed. The British Admiralty produced a classified report concerning every U-boat that they could identify. The British wisely wanted to learn as much as possible about the U-boat menace and made it a topic of systematic study. Those reports have since been declassified and provide a detailed look at what life was like on a U-boat. Also the reports go into detail about the amazing experiences the different German sailors went through in escaping from their sinking boats. Some of the sailors claimed to have escaped from depths that were simply unbelievable (the sailors probably exaggerated). It’s remarkable how much detailed information the British were able to extract from these captured German sailors without violating the Geneva Convention (the British were very proper in their treatment of captured German U-boat crewmen).

7 thoughts on ““U-boat Archive””

  1. The description of the physical effects inside a submarine, like the Thresher, when it exceeds its crush depth is very sobering.

    At least death is quick.

  2. The postwar statement by Admiral Doenitz is fascinating. I was interested in his discussion of why the failure to establish a separate German naval air arm was a problem; it was parallel to the experience of the British when they re-established a separate naval air arm before WWII.

  3. I skimmed one of the engineering reports. Surprising to learn that U boats used porcelain in toilet bowls and electrical fuses in an environment subject to concussions.

  4. Thanks for posting brother. Can’t wait to delve into that one. If anyone would like to read the US boats’ patrol logs fduring WWII, they can be found here (http://www.hnsa.org/doc/subreports.htm). Really good stuff.

    I was in a nuclear boat and had the chance to tour the Pampanito (SS383) in ‘Frisco. I’m not sure how those guys made it. Those pigs were so small. Again, thanks for posting.

  6. Thanks for the link , Jonathan.That is one reason why I love this blog. Another is the intelligence of the commentary.

Comments are closed.