I watched the other day a TV programme of the National Geographic Channel in which they mentioned the recovery of U-869 I think (Perhaps it is the wrong number, I just know it was an 800.. but that is not the point). Some idiot "expert" said that the German U-boats failed completely in their objectives. OK, they failed. They did not achieve to make GB surrender by starving the people. Yes, the U-boats force lost 75% of their men and ships! But that idiot says that Allied shipping could croos the Atlantic unaware. That just 1% of all the allied shipping reached port!!! Is he unsane or what? What about the millions of tones sunk in a month in 1941 and 1942, even in 1943! What do you think? Should we hang him? [ 20 May 2002, 08:05 PM: Message edited by: Ron ]
A very misinformed individual if I may so.......and I just said so !! Do believe he needs to take note and instead of babling like a fool read one of maybe 100's of books on the U-boot arm. Besides check my thread on FAGR 5, it was only one of 15 to 20 Maritime coastal recon air units that took part in the Atlantik war. Rest assured that the Allied shipping was quite observed, now whether or not it then could be attacked may be another story but the U-boot arm has to me a very good record until it was overwhelmed in 44-45. E
Not long ago i bought a book you probablty would like to read. It was written by Herbert A. Werner. A u-boat captain. The book's title is Iron Coffins. It is basically his memoirs of his experience in u-boats from 1941 to 1945. His own data claims that the allies were able to produce 138,000,000 tons of shipping. He claims u-boats sunk 2,882 merchant vessels (14,400,000 tons) and 175 warships (900,000 tons) That means that 11.09% of allied shipping was sunk...meaning that 88.91% made it through. So i guess 99% getting to england is an overestimate...but it isn't THAT far off, only 10.09 off to be exact. So i think hanging him would be rather rash. Although the author does add that out of 1,150 commissioned u-boats 779 were sunk. Although he notes that of those 1,150 commissioned boats only 842 saw battle duty. So thus approximatly 92.5% of U-boats deployed were lost. That out of a total enlistment of 39,000 men...28,000 were killed. (71.8%) Daunting figures to say the least. Oh and try and avoid using profanity, thanks. For example "BS" not "Bull S***"
Friedrich--I think I saw the program on that uboat 800 something or other too. Is this the one that was sunk--found by divers--a mechanic chest metal plate was recovered and was taken to Horst Bredow at his Uboat Archiv in Altenbruch? If this is the program--there was one man who had served on that uboat that is/was--still alive when it aired here. Also, did you know that that chest tag/plate--(which was how they proved to Bredow that this uboat was in fact sunk where they found it and not where the official German govt had it listed at) is now at the Archiv but I dont know if it is on display? It was an excellent documentary and I have it taped. I loved seeing Horsts expressions when these divers met with him at the Archiv.
Yes, I saw it too. Thought it was great! They certainly solved that 'mystery'! Great footage and coverage. And that they involved the daughter or sister(?) of one of the crew who had moved to the US (new jersey?) after the war and found out her father/brother (?) found his grave not that far away.... I thought it was an amazing story.
And if ever someonw wants a copy of any of my documentaries--I have lost count at 600. Most are on ww2.
Ron, that was a mighty impressive post!...Guys, this is little off topic, but I thought you might find it interesting, And I know you probly know about it already. Forgive me, I dont really know all the facts...but, their is a u-boat crew buried here in Virginia, I lived near the place when I was a small boy.... As I recall, and I may be wrong, but I think this is the crew from the sub sunk by a U.S. Navy dergible off Virginia Beach. The Commander of the blimp sent the famous message"SIGHTED SUB...SUNK SAME"...the Men are buried in the Natioal Cemitary in Hampton Virginia.
Has anyone seen the raising of the U-boat in Scandanavia on the National Geographic channel? That U-boat had the only 2 examples of an advanced Acoustic torpedo. It now resides at Liverpool. [ 22 May 2002, 04:07 AM: Message edited by: Madcap7 ]
