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U-31Originally posted by VikingGrandad:
Yes, you're definitely thinking along the right lines NeoDeo
Type VII A
Sunk in March of 1940 by the RAF. Raised and repaired the same month.
Lost for good NW of Ireland by depth charges from HMS Antelope in November of 1940.
The first time she sank all 58 of her crew died.
The second time 2 died and 44 survivedU-31
U-31 made the first convoy attack of WWII on the 16 of September 1939 when she sunk the steamer Aviemore.
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Yep, it was U-31.
After 10 enemy ships sunk, and the deployment of a mine which hit and damaged HMS Nelson, U-31 was bombed and sunk for the first time by an RAF Blenheim during dive trials in Wilhelmshaven harbour. All 48 crew were lost plus 10 shipyard workers who were also aboard.
Because the wreck lay in shallow waters, U-31 was able to be raised, and the dead bodies recovered and buried. The boat was repaired and was returned to service at the end of July 1940.
U-31 completed its first patrol with her new captain, Wilfred Prellberg, in September 1940, sinking 2 ships. During this patrol, U-31 was apparently attacked by an unknown enemy submarine, whose 2 torpedoes narrowly missed their target.
On her next and final patrol, she was again almost struck by enemy torpedoes - this time it was a British submarine in the waters near Lorient, 20 October 1940. 9 days later, U-31 sank the abandoned, drifting wreck of the 'Matina' - a banana boat that U-25 had torpedoed and shelled 3 days earlier. The crew of the 'Matina' had escaped into lifeboats, but none were ever seen again.
My reference says that U-31 was sunk for the second time NW of Iceland*, on the 2 November 1940 by HMS Antelope and a flying boat (presumably a Sunderland?). The 44 survivors were put into Allied captivity, 2 of whom died later in a failed attempt to escape.
My sources are 'U-boat im Focus' magazine, uboat.net and warsailors.com.
* 'U-boat im Focus' states Iceland, whereas uboat.bet and numerous other website state Ireland. Probably a typing error in the magazine
We await your next question NeoDeo
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Is this where a Torpedo ran up a beach and hit a train? Or am I remembering the actual film?Operation Petticoat
EDIT: I think I've found it. Uss Barb?
The story is here.
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Sorry. I went to a Wedding on Saturday and lets just say I over did it a wee bit.Originally posted by Realjambo:
Was I correct NeoDeo1955?
Yes Realjambo It was the Barb.
Jury duty will be comming up soon so I think I will buy Thunder Below to have a good sub book to read while I am sitting around in the Jury pool room.
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