U Boat Gallery

This page is intended as an addition and continuation of my main page on the History of the U Boat War 1939 - 1943. I have so many images that I wished to include in my U Boat Page that they threatened to drown the script and historical data set in that page. Some of the images here are duplicated; some are not included at all on the previous page. I hope that you find enjoyment and knowledge from these images. Should you require any of them for your own purposes, please feel free to right click on the image and save as.... But please give me credit for their use and, where stated, the original source of these. Someone went to a lot of work to bring these images to your attention. Myself with hours of scanning, authors and net writers for their hours of discovery and the results of such. I present these images in no particular order. Those that are thumb nailed, click on the image for the full version.

Horst Elfe, Wolfgang Heyda, Fritz Wentzel, Otto Kretschmer, Hans Engel, Gerd Schreiber,
Hans Ey, Curt von Goßler, Joachim Matz, Günther Lorentz as Prisoners of War.

Copied from The Battle of The Atlantic - Andrew Williams. Caption Reads: The "tonnage king" Otto Kretschmer, seen here with cigar and papers in hand. In 1940, as Commander of U23 and then U99, Kretschmer sank 238,327 tons of shipping. Erich Topp is in the foreground on the right.

U344 U110 - Boarding party heading for sub from HMS Bulldog	From Battle of The Atlantic - Andrew Williams. Note the similarity between Reinhard Hardegen and Jurgen Protchnow (Star of Das Boot)	U534 U344 Officers of the Watch	U123 shells and sinks, a British freighter (SS Culebra) U Boat pen Lorient
U110 with Enigma Machine U505, in American hands, now a permanent exhibit in Chicago	Admiral Sir Max Horton, C in C Western Approaches inspects surrendered U Boat 532; escorted by a German Officer - May 1945. The ship in the rear left is HMS Fowey - not one of Walkers "own" which I had hoped. (Thanks to Gordon Smith for that info)	U Boat Crew U344 U849 under Air Attack	Enigma Machine from the U534 Type 7C
type 9c	type 21	Type 7C	U-532
Death of the U426	Surrender of U 826	Surrender of U 1009	U Boat pens St Nazaire
	Lemp (Left) and his U Boat U30	U-35	Captured U570 seen here as HMS Graph

The man standing behind Winston, facing the camera, is none other than Admiral Ernest J King. This "gentleman" was an anglophobe American Admiral who, as Commander of the Eastern Seaboard of the USA, refused to acknowledge signals from Britain warning of approaching U Boats (via enigma decoding) to attack the US seaboard after the USA entered the war. As a direct result of this, thousands of sailors were sent to their deaths. He also refused to adopt the British convoy system, allowing hundreds of vessels to sail independently, lights ablaze, against well lit coastlines. The U Boat Commanders referred to it as the "happy time" - thanks to this man above, they could not miss. They only broke off attacks when they ran out of ammunition. This admiral probably did more to help the German war effort than any individual. Admittedly he did not have the resources as such, the Pacific being the main problem at that time. But his intransigence was rock like.

Captain Robert Lloyd DSC & bar. At the outbreak of war he was a Sub Lieutenant on the destroyer HMS Brazen and in 1940 in company with the destroyer HMS Fearless off Vaagesfiord Brazen found and attacked U49 blowing her to the surface. Lloyd set off in the sea boat to try prevent the U-Boat scuttling herself but she sank before he could get on board. He did succeed in retrieving some of the documents that the crew were trying to destroy, including a useful chart recording U-Boat dispositions. For these actions he was mentioned in despatches. In June 1941 he was appointed to the destroyer HMS Keppel and took part in Atlantic Convoy as the leader of Escort Group B1. In late June Keppel was part of the escort of Convoy PQ17 the ill fated convoy ordered to scatter by some scatterbrain at the Admiralty.

In January 1944 he was appointed to the "Affleck" one of the American Prefabricated Style ships. "Affleck" was leader of the formidable First Support Group three of whose ships accounted for U91 on February 26 1944. Operating off the coast of Ireland on February 29, the "Garlies" detected U358 and there then followed 38 hours of attacks the longest on record. One hundred and four depth charges were used regarded at the time as a Marine Convulsion. U358 came to periscope depth and sank Gould with an acoustic torpedo causing damage from which she eventually sank. Affleck retaliated and sank U358 with depth charges and gunfire. Lloyds tenacity was rewarded with the DSC. Again he was mentioned in despatches for his contribution in sinking U392 off Gibraltar by Vanoc and Affleck. He was awarded a bar to his DSC for the sinking of U1191 in June 1944 during the Normandy Invasion. Captain Robert Lloyd , DSC & Bar antisubmarine expert was born on March 1o 1916. He died on February 23 2003 aged 86. Thanks to Ray Holden for this information.

17/3 0000 hrs	Mid Atlantic, light seas, poor visibility, sheet lightning on horizon Wind SSW Force 2-3	120 Degrees Economy cruising.
0545		Silhouette of steamer on horizon 5 degrees to starboard. Following in the general direction of 285 degrees and confronted
0633		Positioned on its starboard side and readied for surface torpedo attack
0635		Tube 1 fired, depth 3 metres, distance 1000 yards, speed to target 10 metres per second. Hit target amidships in 1 min 57 seconds. Steamer not sinking, lifeboats launched, investigating. Steamer "Ile de Batz" 5755 tonnes from Rangoon with general cargo
0751		After investigation, artillery used to sink steamer, firing 33 rounds of explosive shells. Ship ablaze listing to port.
0800		Steamer rolled over and sank stern first
1025		90 degrees economy cruising
1059		Steamer in sight at 75 degrees. Approaching from general course of 285 degrees
1200	Wind 1 Seas 0-1
1216		Submerged for underwater attack
1326		Twin torpedo attack, tubes 2 and 4, depth 3 metres, speed 10 metres per second, distance 500 metres. Hit target amidships in 24.8 seconds. Crew launched one lifeboat and started rowing to nearby coast, other lifeboat damaged. Steamer will not sink. When steamer was on fire approached closely for identification. The name Scottish Prince was over painted. 4917 tonnes could be read as 6917 tonnes. The steamers weapons were 1 x 10.2 centimetre cannon stern mounted, and 2 x twin machine guns on bridge. Fire control located behind the bridge. Cargo soya beans and oil seed.
1450		Steamer sinks from rear port quarter
1501		Aircraft approaching from land at 140 degrees. Emergency dive
1600		Submerged 180 degrees
1736		90 degrees economy cruise
1945		At 55 degrees smoke sighted, approach for attack at 285 degrees
2000		Steamer on port bow, position 40 - 50. Approached at dusk for attack from port side.
2103		Tube 3 fired, depth 3 metres, distance 1000 metres, speed 9 metres per second. Hit amidships in 83 seconds. Steamer launched lifeboats and raised mayday. Answering mayday and approaching lifeboats. Steamer Allende, size 5081 tonnes with general cargo from Calcutta, home port Cardiff.
2228		Final attack from tube 4, depth 4 metres, distance 1000 metres, 38 seconds hit aftermast and steamer sinks at 2233.
2243		85gr economy cruise
2400		On the general course of 285 degrees sank 4 steamers, continue course in the hope of another 4
18/3 0000hrs	Mid Atlantic east of Palmas dark night	85gr economy cruise

U210 caught on the surface gun battle ensued - followed by U210 attempting to dive

FUEHRER'S GHQ, 11/4/1943

4 copies
copy

Contribution by Op M (Operations Navy) to lecture by Chief of Armed Forces Operations Staff.

Position of the Navy in the beginning of 11/1943

Submarine war:

The U-boat weapon is being employed in force in all the seas. Conditions much more difficult than before owing to comprehensive air reconnaissance (extension of range of reconnaissance as a result of the occupation of the Azores), excellent enemy detector apparatus, and exceptionally strong escort of convoys. The aircraft is today the chief enemy of the U-boat.

In spite of this by sticking stubbornly to the task and making fullest use of the U-boat weapon further successes have been gained. Increasing successes also recently in the fight against enemy aircraft and destroyers. Sinkages figures correspond to the difficulty of the position. Since 1/1/1943 sunk by U-boats only after careful counting far above 3 million BRT plus a large number of destroyers, cruisers, and escort vessels. To this figure may be added in the merchant fleet and tonnage war as a whole the successes gained by the surface tactical forces, the air arm and mines. This gives us since 1/1/1943 a total figure of almost 5 million BRT British-American merchant- tonnage sunk (without Russia).

In the war at sea the main task of the Navy in all the seas under our control: protection of own communications by sea, injury to enemy fleets, supply shipping, military transport, and supply formations, defense against landing operations. All these tasks set extraordinarily high demands on the tactical and security formation of the Navy.

Position in the individual theatres of war

Baltic

Naval supremacy completely in our hands. Importance of Baltic for ore-traffic from Sweden. Lively own supply traffic to Finland, Finnish Gulf via Baltic entrances. Interference by British air mine warfare especially in the Kattegat, the Sound and the Belts and in the Western Baltic. Own loss up to the present very low thanks to active mine clearing. Russians confined to inner part of Gulf of Finland by dense minefields. Attempts to break out so far always thwarted. In the inner Gulf of Finland recently several affrays with Russian trawler formations, all in our favor.

Importance of Baltic as training arm for the naval tactical forces and the submarine weapon.

North Sea:

Deutsche Bucht (German Bight) and Skagerrak blocked by strong mine-wall. Own task: protection of lively coastal traffic, continuous patrol of shipping lanes, intensive mine detection, trawling and outpost activities. By means of continuous energetic air activity combined with mine-laying and raids by enemy speed-boats the enemy is endeavoring to stop our communications by sea. Up to the present we have always succeeded in maintaining communications without undue loss on our side. Good results in particular against enemy speed-boats.

Norway

Very busy own rations and supply traffic along the long stretch of coast under the protection of screening forces and numerous strong coastal batteries. Routes in the skerries protected by their natural position and mine-blocks. Our own escort movements interfered with by enemy air arms and speed-boats which hide in the skerries. Successes obtained by the enemy in attack so far very slight. In the Polar region attacks by Russian aircraft and submarine. Our own losses slight but enemy losses high.

Arctic

The presence of our own combat group of battleships and destroyers in Northern Waters is of considerable strategic influence. Since January of this year large-scale enemy supplies going to Russia via the Arctic have not been observed (Supply diverted to the far longer and more difficult route to the Persian Gulf and via Iran). U-boats employed against individual enemy movements in the Arctic. We have now to see whether the despatch of supplies to Russia by the Arctic route begin again in the period of darkness now setting in.

Channel:

In spite of strong enemy superiority in the air and the lively activity of his light naval tactical forces combined with intensified mine-laying, German supplying and rationing traffic continues to be carried on practically on schedule. At the same time full employment of our own screening tactical units (mine detector, outpost, trawling and escort boats). Lively and successful offensive employment of our own speed-boats against British convoyed traffic and for mine-laying. Conditions difficult owing to British superiority on sea and in the air. Warfare in the Channel area shows increasing signs of enemy threat of landing operation. Strong coastal defense on one side.

Biscay Atlantic Coast

Air raids on our own ports have left U-boat defense unaffected. Main task for Navy:

Keeping the seaways open and maintenance of escort for U-boats coming in and going out. In addition, countermeasures against British mine laying, against strong British air observation and the appearance of light enemy naval tactical forces.

Mediterranean

A very strong enemy naval fighting force (3 British, 1 French, 5 Italian battleships, 13 cruisers 5 destroyers) is unopposed on our side by any fighting forces with the exception of U-boats and S-boats. A few Italian destroyers and torpedo boats are being commissioned. Our own U-boats are being employed against very busy British supply traffic. Numerous successes. For the rest, the task of the Navy is to carry out and protect our own supply traffic for the combatant troops in the Ligurian and Tyrrhenia Seas and in the Adriatic. Increasing activity on the part of the enemy tactical air and light naval forces. Transfer of our own supply to small ships and coastal traffic. The necessary freight tonnage and screening forces are being made ready.

Aegean

Support of the island garrisons by protective formations of the German Navy. Carrying out supply and rationing overseas. Strong enemy activity with submarines, cruisers, destroyers, and tactical air forces.

Black Sea

All suitable fighting forces (U-boats, S- and R-boats, "MFP") employed to defend the Crimea. Own slight forces fully employed. Good success. So far activity of the Russian Brack Sea Fleet slight. Up to the present rationing and supply traffic maintained in accordance with plan in spite of enemy air and submarine activity.

Distribution:
Chief of Armed Forces Operations Staff: 1st copy
Op.H. (Army): 2d copy
Op.L. (Air): 3d copy
Op.M. (Navy:) 4th copy

Despite the understandably biased Allied reporting of events to the media, and from the media to the public, the vast majority of U Boat commanders carried out their duties in as honourable a fashion as this type of warfare allowed. This is proven by the fact that many Allied senior figures came forward after the end of the war to defend these same commanders who were being vilified as war criminals, and gave testimony that they themselves had behaved in at least an aggressive a manner, if not more so, especially in the case of some American commanders in the Pacific waters, as their German counterparts. U Boat crews were generally volunteers, and remained so throughout the war. This resulted in the U boats getting the cream of the personnel as selection procedures were rigorous to the extreme. Traditional German naval discipline was more relaxed about the U Boat, each man dependent on others and an excellent esprit de corps sprang up and was maintained throughout WW2.

Lorient was the first German base on the west coast of France, Lemp, in the U-30 was the first U Boat to arrive, on July 5th 1940. Soon following was Brest, La Pallice, St Nazaire and Bordeux. 8 submarine flotillas used these bases. The move to French western ports, on the Bay of Biscay, dramatically increased the range of the ocean going U Boat, sparing them the long trip through the North Sea. Disposition of these Flotillas were as follows:

Submarine flotilla No. 1 based at Brest.
Submarine flotilla No. 2 based at Lorient.
Submarine flotilla No. 3 based at La Pallice.
Submarine flotilla No. 6 based at St-Nazaire.
Submarine flotilla No. 7 based at St-Nazaire.
Submarine flotilla No. 9 based at Brest.
Submarine flotilla No. 10 based at Lorient.
Submarine flotilla No. 12 based at Bordeaux.

Type 7c U Boat (above) entering St Nazaire locks. Note insignia on conning tower; the "Bull of Scapa Flow" - a larger milch cow is seen alongside. Each on of these "milch cows" could deliver up to 432 tons of diesel fuel to fighting submarines as well as provisions, rearmament, torpedoes and act as a repair ship. There were 10 type XIV boats but they rarely returned to port! Too clumsy, too slow to dive, easy prey for aircraft.

U-5?? arrives in Halifax Nova Scotia on surrendering at end of WW2. Image in Maritime Museum but forgot conning tower number

U-278 after the surrender, taken from a Liberator. This image was sent to me by Dani J Ackerberg of www.u-historia.com

This superb painting is the work of aviation artist Mark Postlethwaite whose site can be visited by clicking on the image. The painting depicts the sinking of the U998 by a 333 Sqn Mosquito HP864, on 16th June 1944. On Oct 31st 2006 I got an email from Rob Adams in Africa who tells me this:

On the 16th U998 was attacked with rockets and cannon fire by a mosquito of 333 (Norwegian) Squadron (Lt EU Johansen) N of the Shetlands. U804 was sent to help but she was attacked by another mosquito of 333 Squadron and had to put into Bergen with casualties. The badly damaged U998 put into Bergen 17.6.44. U998 was decommissioned at Bergen on 27.6.44 and she was surrendered there on 9.5.45.After the war all equipment was removed from the boat by the Norwegians and she was scrapped.

I am currently reading a book by Lord Russell of Liverpool entitled The Knights of the Bushido, detailed Japanese war crimes in World War 2. And found a passage which is a bit disturbing in that it refers to a meeting between Hitler and the Japanese Ambassador to Berlin, Oshima. Here is the section of text:

He (Hitler) said that no matter how many ships the Americans built, lack of suitable crews would be their main problem, and that it was his intention that all merchant ships would be sunk without warning. Germany was fighting for her very existence and humane feelings could not enter into it. He would give the order that U-boats were to surface after torpedoing and shoot up the lifeboats. According to the shorthand note which was taken of this exchange of views, Ambassador Oshima heartily agreed with the Fuhrer’s observations and said that the Japanese too would have to adopt these methods.

Article 22 of the London Naval treaty of 1930 between the United States of America, Great Britain, France, Italy and Japan provided that:

(I) In action against merchant ships submarines must conform to the roles of International Law to which surface vessels are subject.

(II) In particular, except in the case of persistent refusal to stop on being duly summoned, or of active resistance to visit and search, warships, whether surface vessel or submarine may not sink or render incapable of navigation a merchant vessel without having first placed passengers, crew and ships papers in a place of safety. For this purpose the ship’s boats are not regarded as a place of safety, unless the safety of the passengers and crew is assured in the existing sea and weather conditions, by the proximity of land, Cr the presence of another vessel which is in position to take them on board.

Although this Treaty was allowed to expire on 31st December, Article 22 remained binding on the parties by virtue of Article 23, which laid down that Part IV of the expiring Treaty relating to submarines should remain in force without time limit.

An order issued by the Commander for the Japanese First Submarine Force on 20th March 1943 contained the following:

All submarines will act together in order to concentrate their attack against enemy convoys and totally destroy them. Do not stop at the sinking of enemy ships and cargoes. At the same time carry out the complete destruction of the crews of the enemy’s ships; if possible seize part of the crew and endeavour to secure information about the enemy.

That the Japanese did this is another story, but they carried out this directive, killing many survivors in the water. As the U boat crews and officers were not like their Japanese "allies", I do not think this directive was ever issued in the first place by Germany. They know full well the consequences of their actions and, as sailors, would not have killed their "own" in cold blood. Stories of U Boat men machine gunning sailors in the water were predominantly British propaganda and almost certainly never took place.

It is under this bunker that is the operational fleet of the Admiral Doenitz. These submarines being even more vulnerable with their ammunition, they had to be protected to the maximum. It is what the Todt Organization did by reinforcing the roofs in 2 successive roofs separated by 1 m from air being used as combustion chamber with the large bombs. A bomb of 5,5 tons fell on the block not generating any damage inside this one. This block contains 7 cells. Those are either of the wet docks or of the dry docks. This kind of block is more traditional than the technique of the slipway evoked previously. One will meet it in all the underwater bases of the Atlantic. At the bottom of the cells are stores and workshops. Each cell is equipped with a traveling bridge.

Constructed between 1938-1944, the VIIC boats were slightly larger internally than their predecessor, the type VIIB and also had a slightly improved surface range. (9700 nautical miles to 9400 nautical miles, at 10 knots, combined diesel/electric drive) Their maximum surface speed was 17-17.7 knots and their maximum submerged speed was 7.6 knots. The type VIIC carried 14 torpedoes (4 in forward tubes, 8 in forward torpedo compartment, 1 in aft torpedo tube and 1 aft torpedo compartment). The orginal VIIC design included a 88mm deck gun mounted forward of conning tower. Effective against surface vessels in the early years of the war, this gun was removed from new and older boats after 1942 due to the increased danger of enemy air attack. The boat was designed to carry 60 men (4 officers and 56 enlisted men) The type VIIC was by far the most common of the World War II German u-boats with 660 boats built.

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