To anyone interested, I am no expert on the finer workings of submarine pens and my comments and opinions below are based on what I have seen and read. On a recent trip to Lorient I have acquired a book (in French, but can be translated) about the Submarine base at Lorient. It covers 1. The construction of the base 2. The function of the base 3. The Allied actions against the base 4. The Liberation of the base St Nazaire has a set of pens that I would call 'wet', in that the Uboats arrive and sail into their allotted pen. If major work on the Uboat is required then the pen gates are closed and the water pumped out turning it into a 'dry dock'. At Lorient however there are 3 seperate areas for housing the Uboats and I have notated them as: Keroman III Keroman I & II Turntable Keroman III is I believe basically used for Uboats that may require some minor repairs and re supply. This would be used for those that require a fairly quick turnaround time or regular minor maintanence. Keroman III is the structure on the right hand side of the picture above. Keroman I & II is an intriquing section. The Uboats enter the pen – only one has access to the water – whereupon it would be sited over a 'dolly' or carriage situated on tracks. The pen doors are closed, and water emptied out. The Uboat would then be drawn by cables into the area between Keroman I & II. From this area it can be moved via cables to any other dry pen for repair and maintenance. Keroman II was also used for training crews in emergency evacuation of a Uboat etc, and this facility has been retained for visitors today. Turntable – this functions in exactly the same way as a railway engine turntable. The Uboat sails into the Port du Peche and onto a 'dolly' or carriage. This is then hauled out of the water and onto the turntable where the Uboat can be turned and hauled into any of the empty sections to allow repair. In all it is a feat of engineering and design, although one needs to reflect upon the hardships endured by the forced labour that created this base. The actual submarine you can see resting between Keroman I & II is the French 'Flore'. It is open to the public and is part of the main museum accessed via Keroman I. This museum also takes a visitor on a trip via films and parts of Uboats through the life of the pens during WW2.
TD, I too visited the U-Boat Pen and Museums two years ago, whilst staying a short drive North from the Pens. I bought a Paperback book called "Guide Souvenir La base de Sous-Mmarins de Lorient" and although I have never learned French at School it is understandable to me in the main. The First Submarine shelters were the Two Cathedral bunkers accessed by the turntable as this was a quick way to provide Initial shelters for repair. Allied bombs at the time could cause some damage, but not enough to destroy them. The other U-Boat Bunkers Kerman I and II were then built, followed by III. but more were in the planning stage (IV) but not completed. The incredible size of these buildings hits you when you get near to them and many buildings are still in use by local Yacht builders and other manufacturers. Former thread with some good photographs. http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/4477-u-boat-pens/?hl=lorient#entry46362 Regards Tom
Sylt U-Boat pens This photo taken in 1958 shows thickness of u-boat pens concrete and mass of reinforcing Destroyed I think by blockbuster bombs
