The U-848 a Type IXD U-Boat was sunk on 5th November 1943. Here is a link to photos taken by the attacking aircraft. The craft was lost with only 1 survivor. In one of these photos you can clearly see the AA crew taking cover from the attack. Very good photos indeed and the site itself is well worth a visit if you are interested in U-boats. Here is the link: U-boat Archive - U-848
Dont think much of the catailna's bombing. Hes a bit off. Kev hang on, has the depth charge bounced. See strange splashes?? Kev
It might well be Kev!! It does look like it. Theres a lot of reports there on the site, will have look when I have second. Kev
I like the ability to view the high res image. That shot comes alive when you expand it and get the clearer view of the conning tower.
It feels very uneasy looking at that picture knowing that those guys are about to drown. And yes I know they were fighting for an evil regime and yes I know that all they stood for was wrong but drowning is a terrible way to die no matter who it is.
It feels very uneasy looking at that picture knowing that those guys are about to drown. And yes I know they were fighting for an evil regime and yes I know that all they stood for was wrong but drowning is a terrible way to die no matter who it is. The bit that stuck me was the funeral of the 'survivior', full military honours for what was basically thought of as hated enemy engaging in murder of civilians, here in Liverpool. Kev
The bit that stuck me was the funeral of the 'survivior', full military honours for what was basically thought of as hated enemy engaging in murder of civilians, here in Liverpool. Kev When Otto Kretschmer (U-99) was landed as a prisoner in Liverpool and marched to Lime St for the London train, his first thought was he would be hanging from a lampost. Another U-Boat men funeral here: U-boat Archive - U-85 U-85, an interesting story. There are also some interesting documents at the bottom of the page. (the PBY actually returned the following day to bomb the already sunken boat!)
When Otto Kretschmer (U-99) was landed as a prisoner in Liverpool and marched to Lime St for the London train, his first thought was he would be hanging from a lampost. Another U-Boat men funeral here: U-boat Archive - U-85 U-85, an interesting story. There are also some interesting documents at the bottom of the page. (the PBY actually returned the following day to bomb the already sunken boat!) Its an understandable reaction. My Grandfather was in the 'Merch' during WW2 and was torpedeod at least once before he got on the Queen Mary. I can remember him getting quite vocal about the Uboats, though wouldnt really talk about much detail. I dont think the average merchant seaman had quite the same respect for the Underseabootmen as the Royal Navy did. Kev
U-848 was attacked by a number of liberators from Ascension Island over the course of 5/11/43. The aircraft attacks started in the morning and lasted until she was sunk by two aircraft that afternoon , her gunners sent one away with an engine out. All in she was attacked by between 5-6 aircraft. The rings you see are the impacts of .5 inch rounds on the sea, the photo was taken by a rear facing camera which would have activated to take a series of photos when the charges were released. The submareine sank leaving 20 odd men in the water , the American aircrew dropped liferafts to the Germans and a call was made to have them picked up. A month later one man was rescued , delerious , out of his mind he died the next day - none of the men you see in the photograph lived. I would not be too hard on the guncrew - they had to face a hail of heavy machine gun fire and the screens around their guns didn't really offer much by way of protection. They had to time their fire to catch the aircraft as she committed herself to the bomb run , likewise the aircraft faced a wall of 20mm flak ( and 37mm flak if the 37 mm gun hadn't jammed) - for both crews it a case of "crossing the Rubicorn". The photo you see shows the aircraft to be perhaps 20 or 30 feet above the level of the conning tower - low , fast and trying to hit a moving target , if you look at the line of approach she is being attacked at an angle which leaves the gun crews at a disadvantage and the U-boat is moving at high speed , not an easy target to hit. As far as not being brave when the lead starts to fly for both crews it was the point of no return , luck played its part and the "loser" would probably be killed. Most attack photos you will see show the effects of machine gun fire on the water , what yiou see is the view from the rear turret as the Liberator flies away from the submarine having dropped a set of charges. As far as being a hero goes - if 2-8 depth charges explode around you , the noise alone not to mention the reminder of ones own rather slight grasp on life would tend to make the best of us want to get low down to the deck.
I like the ability to view the high res image. That shot comes alive when you expand it and get the clearer view of the conning tower. Terrifying details of the conning tower.... Jan.
Although it is difficult to be certain it does appear as if there are a few dead crewmen around the guns , the shield on one is damaged suggesting that they may well have taken a number of hits.
Terrifying pic but who said war is not like that.. EDIT: it seems that 2 cremen on the right is partially naked - why?
Possibly the nature of the enviroment , heat within the boat , poorly ventolated it must have been very warm and stinking inside the boat.
Hello All. First posting on site. Details of U 848, mostly known I suppose. U 848 Type: IX.D-2, ocean-going. Constructor: Deshimag AG Weser, Bremen. Armament: 22 Torpedoes, 1 x 105mm, 3 x 20mm, 1 x quad 20mm. Commissioned: 20.2.43. Operational: July, 1943. Service Life: 9. Operational Life: 3. Patrols: 1. Theatre: Atlantic. Sank 1 m/v (4,573 grt). Departed: 18.9.43, Kiel; for South Atlantic. Last Action: 5.11.43, 12.U-Flotille, attacked by Liberator of VP-107 USN (Lt W.E. Hill), B.25 of 1st Composite Sqd. USAAF Ascension Is. (Lt C.A. Baldwin) and B.25 of 1st Composite Sqd. USAAF Ascension Is. (Lt W.A. Ford), with DC's and 500 lb. impact fused bombs. The craft sank in position 10.09S 18.00W, S.W. of Ascension Island, Atlantic. The Commander and all but 1 of the crew were lost, who was made POW. Commander: KK W. Rollmann 02.43-11.43. M/V attacked/damaged/sunk : Baron Semple(S), (Rollman). Sadsac
