Wreck of WWII German U-boat found off North Carolina

[webfact]

Wreck of WWII German U-boat found off North Carolina
By Brad Lendon, CNN

(CNN) -- A World War II German U-boat, sunk during the Battle of the Atlantic more than 72 years ago, has been discovered off the coast of North Carolina, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Tuesday.

The German sub, the U-576, was found at the bottom of the Atlantic 30 miles off Cape Hatteras and just 240 yards from an American merchant ship, the merchant tanker Bluefields, which was part of a 24-ship U.S. convoy heading from Virginia to Key West, Florida, on July 14, 1942.

"This is not just the discovery of a single shipwreck," said Joe Hoyt, chief scientist of NOAA's Office of Marine Sanctuaries expedition, which found the vessels. "We have discovered an important battle site that is part of the Battle of the Atlantic. These two ships rest only a few hundred yards apart and together help us interpret and share their forgotten stories."

The story of U-576 was is the more tragic of the two wrecks.

Full story: http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/21/us/north-carolina-u-boat-wreck/index.html


-- CNN 2014-10-22

[Somtamnication]

It is difficult and an honor to be a soldier for your own government. I salute their heroism ONLY.

[MaxYakov]

Why would it be that "The story of U-576 was is the more tragic of the two wrecks." Did it have more rust than the tanker? If they are referring to the number of lost crew members, I might agree.

[bassman]

Why would it be that "The story of U-576 was is the more tragic of the two wrecks." Did it have more rust than the tanker? If they are referring to the number of lost crew members, I might agree.

Click on the link Max, the whole story is there.

[everett kendall]

This is not the only Nazi sub sunk off North Carolina, there are others and I have dove on at least one that is a 110 feet deep, it simply amazing how close they were to the US.

[SheungWan]

It is difficult and an honor to be a soldier for your own government. I salute their heroism ONLY.

Nothing honourable fighting for that government.

[peecee]

There is no doubt that those U-boat crews were brave men. However, its hard to find empathy with an aggressor who's aim was to sink unarmed merchantmen (so many of them neutral), no matter how many submariners were lost or how incompetent their captain.

[Gandtee]

It is difficult and an honor to be a soldier for your own government. I salute their heroism ONLY.

Coincidentally, I am just reading the book Das Boot about a German submarine,. It is based on the true experience of one of the crew. It states that out of 40,000 German submariners, 30,000 did not survive. They apparently didn't think much of the maniac who led them into that war either. The British film "We dive at dawn" gives a stiff upper lip interpretation of submariners and in both the German and the British versions the horror of the threat of being sunk and running out of oxygen is vividly apparent. Anyone serving in submarines deserves being branded a hero whichever side he is fighting for. My father served on a Destroyer in the Atlantic during WW2 and he was one of the unsung heroes who was dragged into a conflict that most of them did not want.

[SjaakNL2013]

Must be a hell of a work to find the U Boot.......

Unless they checked this website.... all about U Boots

[peecee]

It is difficult and an honor to be a soldier for your own government. I salute their heroism ONLY.

Coincidentally, I am just reading the book Das Boot about a German submarine,. It is based on the true experience of one of the crew. It states that out of 40,000 German submariners, 30,000 did not survive. They apparently didn't think much of the maniac who led them into that war either. The British film "We dive at dawn" gives a stiff upper lip interpretation of submariners and in both the German and the British versions the horror of the threat of being sunk and running out of oxygen is vividly apparent. Anyone serving in submarines deserves being branded a hero whichever side he is fighting for. My father served on a Destroyer in the Atlantic during WW2 and he was one of the unsung heroes who was dragged into a conflict that most of them did not want.

In recent times my pal was on Conqueror and was attacked several times before getting the Belgrano, brave men all. The call of ones country to serve is strong even when others think the politic is wrong.

Heroism is justifiably apt.

[Gandtee]

Must be a hell of a work to find the U Boot.......

Unless they checked this website.... all about U Boots

Perhaps you should google the book title

[steve187]

Must be a hell of a work to find the U Boot.......

Unless they checked this website.... all about U Boots

thanks for the link a good informative site

[NowImEasy]

I would strongly disagree with those who say that the U boat crew aren't heroes because of their evil government.

German soldiers and sailors were mostly draftees, and were only doing their duty. Maybe a percentage were Nazi supporters, but even so, they were fighting for their country.

As WWII fades further into history, I have only the greatest respect for the German and Japanese soldiers. Other than the Psycopaths, whose cruelty was criminal, they fought bravely for their country and each other. If it wasn't for the industrial capacity of the USA, the inevitable victories of the allies would have been much more costly, and maybe even fought to a stalemate.

[Lokie]

The Kriegsmarine were as brave as our own Navys they had a job to do and did not really have any option, they done it. The losses of the U-Boat men as mentioned was very high (remember most of these were young men teenagers, half the U-boat commanders were not much more than 23/24years old, don't know about Hitler, rather they held Admiral Karl Donitz in high esteem.

The film Das Boot (original german version is one of the best war films ever made) showing how scary and nerve wrenching it must have been to be depth charged etc all Heroes RIP

[Jingthing]

I would strongly disagree with those who say that the U boat crew aren't heroes because of their evil government.

German soldiers and sailors were mostly draftees, and were only doing their duty. Maybe a percentage were Nazi supporters, but even so, they were fighting for their country.

As WWII fades further into history, I have only the greatest respect for the German and Japanese soldiers. Other than the Psycopaths, whose cruelty was criminal, they fought bravely for their country and each other. If it wasn't for the industrial capacity of the USA, the inevitable victories of the allies would have been much more costly, and maybe even fought to a stalemate.

Are you aware of the Rape of Nanking?

Seems like being a psychopath was the fashionable thing back then.

[sustento]

It is difficult and an honor to be a soldier for your own government. I salute their heroism ONLY.

Coincidentally, I am just reading the book Das Boot about a German submarine,.

It was turned into a very good movie/TV series which it's worth making an effort to get hold of and watch.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Das_Boot

[Baerboxer]

I would strongly disagree with those who say that the U boat crew aren't heroes because of their evil government.

German soldiers and sailors were mostly draftees, and were only doing their duty. Maybe a percentage were Nazi supporters, but even so, they were fighting for their country.

As WWII fades further into history, I have only the greatest respect for the German and Japanese soldiers. Other than the Psycopaths, whose cruelty was criminal, they fought bravely for their country and each other. If it wasn't for the industrial capacity of the USA, the inevitable victories of the allies would have been much more costly, and maybe even fought to a stalemate.

Are you aware of the Rape of Nanking?

Seems like being a psychopath was the fashionable thing back then.

One of the most harrowing books I've read - The Rape of Nanking.

German and Japanese forces ignored the rules of war, were instigators of attacks on civilians, POWs and guilty of racial based murders.

The German's were the first to introduce unrestricted submarine warfare, bombing of civilians by air, attacks using chemical weapons, executions of civilian hostages and breaches of the Hague and Geneva conventions. They carried on their "traditions" from WW1 into WW2. Win at all costs.

The barbarity and inhumanity of the servicemen of the Empire of Japan is well documented.

I can appreciate not all were right wing extremists and worshipers of Hitler or Hirohito. But many, many were. I have no respect for any one who fought for either of those evil regimes. Both believed they were the 'master race".

[German Viking]

It is difficult and an honor to be a soldier for your own government. I salute their heroism ONLY.

Nothing honourable fighting for that government.

Like many other governments in the past and present, which are not supposed to be democracies.

[German Viking]

There is no doubt that those U-boat crews were brave men. However, its hard to find empathy with an aggressor who's aim was to sink unarmed merchantmen (so many of them neutral), no matter how many submariners were lost or how incompetent their captain.

And how many used the red cross(neutral) flag and transported weapons for the allied force.

Some would call this a war crime, but it was simply for sure a violation of the convention of geneve.

[German Viking]

I would strongly disagree with those who say that the U boat crew aren't heroes because of their evil government.

German soldiers and sailors were mostly draftees, and were only doing their duty. Maybe a percentage were Nazi supporters, but even so, they were fighting for their country.

As WWII fades further into history, I have only the greatest respect for the German and Japanese soldiers. Other than the Psycopaths, whose cruelty was criminal, they fought bravely for their country and each other. If it wasn't for the industrial capacity of the USA, the inevitable victories of the allies would have been much more costly, and maybe even fought to a stalemate.

Are you aware of the Rape of Nanking?

Seems like being a psychopath was the fashionable thing back then.

One of the most harrowing books I've read - The Rape of Nanking.

German and Japanese forces ignored the rules of war, were instigators of attacks on civilians, POWs and guilty of racial based murders.

The German's were the first to introduce unrestricted submarine warfare, bombing of civilians by air, attacks using chemical weapons, executions of civilian hostages and breaches of the Hague and Geneva conventions. They carried on their "traditions" from WW1 into WW2. Win at all costs.

The barbarity and inhumanity of the servicemen of the Empire of Japan is well documented.

I can appreciate not all were right wing extremists and worshipers of Hitler or Hirohito. But many, many were. I have no respect for any one who fought for either of those evil regimes. Both believed they were the 'master race".

Like the USA the last almost 7 decades they mean they stay above any rules, how often violated they the convention of Hague and Geneva. They used often illegal threads at any costs.

for Example: Agent Orange in Vietnam, Nicaragua CIA Affair, Iran Counter Affair, Abu Ghuraib etc. etc. and this is only the tip of the Iceberg about any conflicts USA was or is involved.

Be fair and don't blame only the looser of the wars, blame all who don't follow the conventions of Geneva and Hague.

[SjaakNL2013]

I would strongly disagree with those who say that the U boat crew aren't heroes because of their evil government.

German soldiers and sailors were mostly draftees, and were only doing their duty. Maybe a percentage were Nazi supporters, but even so, they were fighting for their country.

As WWII fades further into history, I have only the greatest respect for the German and Japanese soldiers. Other than the Psycopaths, whose cruelty was criminal, they fought bravely for their country and each other. If it wasn't for the industrial capacity of the USA, the inevitable victories of the allies would have been much more costly, and maybe even fought to a stalemate.

Are you aware of the Rape of Nanking?

Seems like being a psychopath was the fashionable thing back then.

One of the most harrowing books I've read - The Rape of Nanking.

German and Japanese forces ignored the rules of war, were instigators of attacks on civilians, POWs and guilty of racial based murders.

The German's were the first to introduce unrestricted submarine warfare, bombing of civilians by air, attacks using chemical weapons, executions of civilian hostages and breaches of the Hague and Geneva conventions. They carried on their "traditions" from WW1 into WW2. Win at all costs.

The barbarity and inhumanity of the servicemen of the Empire of Japan is well documented.

I can appreciate not all were right wing extremists and worshipers of Hitler or Hirohito. But many, many were. I have no respect for any one who fought for either of those evil regimes. Both believed they were the 'master race".

Somewhere in this forum is a tread about how the present government rewrite the history books in favor of them self.There as here i can t say not more that the winner write the history. Only if you really study cases you will find the truth. Most times the books, documents and other evidence is hidden in dusty achieves and are not open for the public.

Fighting as soldier you do because you have no choice. Propaganda make that people start hate others and make them feel superior above other groups.

All through the history this is done. Where all Jews rich ? Could Japanese not fly an airplane ? Where the weapons of mass destruction in Iraq ? Did Assad drop poison gas on the rebels ? Did trowing the atomic bombs really shorten the war ? Did W. Churchill use poison gas against the Zulu people in SA?

Many questions... and so little answers. But I am sure the real causes you can 't find in the history books.

[thailiketoo]

Somewhere in this forum is a tread about how the present government rewrite the history books in favor of them self.There as here i can t say not more that the winner write the history. Only if you really study cases you will find the truth. Most times the books, documents and other evidence is hidden in dusty achieves and are not open for the public.

Fighting as soldier you do because you have no choice. Propaganda make that people start hate others and make them feel superior above other groups.

All through the history this is done. Where all Jews rich ? Could Japanese not fly an airplane ? Where the weapons of mass destruction in Iraq ? Did Assad drop poison gas on the rebels ? Did trowing the atomic bombs really shorten the war ? Did W. Churchill use poison gas against the Zulu people in SA?

Many questions... and so little answers. But I am sure the real causes you can 't find in the history books.

My grandfather left Germany because he didn't want to fight for them as did many others. Thousands left the USA because they didn't want to fight in Vietnam.

I agree with the propaganda making people feel superior. On Thai Visa the word is,"Proper."

Anything that follows proper is normally propaganda. Try it. Cheese, plumbing, lady, sanitation, wiring, building materials..........

Edited October 24, 2014 by thailiketoo

[Gandtee]

One of my old friends, a quiet man,married with two grown up sons, served in Kenya in the 1950s against the Mau Mau. Just once, he told me what his troop did when they went into a supposedly Mau Mau village, and which I will not repeat here. I would suggest that when armies are exposed to eyeball to eyeball clashes, civilisation goes out of the window to some extent. Especially when you don't know who your enemy is. I am not making excuses but condemn Governments and leaders who encouraged these atrocities but just trying to visualise the troop's on the grounds state of mind. Sadly I am sure many of them went into a killing frenzy. I am also sure that various nations and their cultures act more or less violently than others.

[harryfrompattaya]

I would strongly disagree with those who say that the U boat crew aren't heroes because of their evil government.

German soldiers and sailors were mostly draftees, and were only doing their duty. Maybe a percentage were Nazi supporters, but even so, they were fighting for their country.

As WWII fades further into history, I have only the greatest respect for the German and Japanese soldiers. Other than the Psycopaths, whose cruelty was criminal, they fought bravely for their country and each other. If it wasn't for the industrial capacity of the USA, the inevitable victories of the allies would have been much more costly, and maybe even fought to a stalemate.

Are you aware of the Rape of Nanking?

Seems like being a psychopath was the fashionable thing back then.

One of the most harrowing books I've read - The Rape of Nanking.

German and Japanese forces ignored the rules of war, were instigators of attacks on civilians, POWs and guilty of racial based murders.

The German's were the first to introduce unrestricted submarine warfare, bombing of civilians by air, attacks using chemical weapons, executions of civilian hostages and breaches of the Hague and Geneva conventions. They carried on their "traditions" from WW1 into WW2. Win at all costs.

The barbarity and inhumanity of the servicemen of the Empire of Japan is well documented.

I can appreciate not all were right wing extremists and worshipers of Hitler or Hirohito. But many, many were. I have no respect for any one who fought for either of those evil regimes. Both believed they were the 'master race".

Both the Japanese people and the German people still cry like babies about the allied bombings both forgot who started it No they were not heroes but big babies. Still today their grandchildren are crying and complaining What a bunch of babies. But the Chinese and Russians are going to get them again this time

And today they are still crying and complaining about the bombings

[SjaakNL2013]

I would strongly disagree with those who say that the U boat crew aren't heroes because of their evil government.

German soldiers and sailors were mostly draftees, and were only doing their duty. Maybe a percentage were Nazi supporters, but even so, they were fighting for their country.

As WWII fades further into history, I have only the greatest respect for the German and Japanese soldiers. Other than the Psycopaths, whose cruelty was criminal, they fought bravely for their country and each other. If it wasn't for the industrial capacity of the USA, the inevitable victories of the allies would have been much more costly, and maybe even fought to a stalemate.

Are you aware of the Rape of Nanking?

Seems like being a psychopath was the fashionable thing back then.

One of the most harrowing books I've read - The Rape of Nanking.

German and Japanese forces ignored the rules of war, were instigators of attacks on civilians, POWs and guilty of racial based murders.

The German's were the first to introduce unrestricted submarine warfare, bombing of civilians by air, attacks using chemical weapons, executions of civilian hostages and breaches of the Hague and Geneva conventions. They carried on their "traditions" from WW1 into WW2. Win at all costs.

The barbarity and inhumanity of the servicemen of the Empire of Japan is well documented.

I can appreciate not all were right wing extremists and worshipers of Hitler or Hirohito. But many, many were. I have no respect for any one who fought for either of those evil regimes. Both believed they were the 'master race".

Both the Japanese people and the German people still cry like babies about the allied bombings both forgot who started it No they were not heroes but big babies. Still today their grandchildren are crying and complaining What a bunch of babies. But the Chinese and Russians are going to get them again this time

And today they are still crying and complaining about the bombings

I think you are to much indoctrinated or just have lack of education on this part of the world and the history.educated.

Maybe if you have time you can read the stories from Erich von Falkenhain (1861–1922) General of the Infantry, Heeresgruppe F 10th Armee In the letters he wrote, and the set up for after the war, sadly time stretched by the WW2, you see the ground foundation from the present EG.

This and many more lay in the archives for you to read. I hope you can read "hoch Deutsch" because that was the language used at the German Kaiser Wilhelm III is government.

And about crying..... it seems you the only one who hear it.

[harryfrompattaya]

I am happy to say I will read about Nazi heroes or other that laid the ground work for Hitler the Fool

I notice you do not write about the coming war of Russian against Germany and the Germans will begging to defend Germany. By the way Erich von Falkenhain sounds so official and many sheep followed him liked they followed Hitler the Fool.

Edited October 24, 2014 by Scott

[SjaakNL2013]

I am happy to say I will read about Nazi heroes or other that laid the ground work for Hitler the Fool

I notice you do not write about the coming war of Russian against Germany and the Germans will begging to defend Germany. By the way Erich von Falkenhain sounds so official and many sheep followed him liked they followed Hitler the Fool.

I am sorry that your education didn't included pre-WW1 and WW2 history.

The NAZI (National Socialist German Workers' Party) party as you mention was founded in 1920, following the DAP (German Workers' Party) who was founded in 1919. Both parties didn't play any role in the books and notes by Erich von Falkenhain for the simple reason they didn't exist at the time of writing them.

The Freikorps, a militaristic organization from the post wars period was mainly occupied with repression from communists and extreme left socialists. Arthur Moeller van den Bruck, a historian, was the first who introduced the term "das Dritte Reich", also the tittle of the book, where saw a strong role for German nationalism as political movement represented in a government. 10 years after the dead of .v.d. Bruck, the NAZI party took that book as foundation for the NAZI ideology.

About writing over a, as you say, war between Russian and German seems me some premature. But ideas have always spread during the Cold war periods. In many heads all over the world seems it still alive. Despite the fiction I think that China on this moment will be a better partner to go in war with then the USA.

I think that we go to far away from the original OP of this treat on TV but if you need more information or like to explain your vision you can send it in a PM.

[japsportscarmad]

I am happy to say I will read about Nazi heroes or other that laid the ground work for Hitler the Fool

I notice you do not write about the coming war of Russian against Germany and the Germans will begging to defend Germany. By the way Erich von Falkenhain sounds so official and many sheep followed him liked they followed Hitler the Fool.

Hitler couldn't have been such a great fool, he was clever enough to arrange kill over 6 million Jews allegedly at least. What a horrid crime gassing people slowly with a flea killer, how can someone be driven to kill so many people for what. The world does not learn as the scenario has been repeated in the Balkans and in Israel ethnically cleansing the ethnic population from their lands all in the name of religion.

It's unlikely there will be a war between Russia and Germany or Russia will have no one to sell their gas to will they and Putins friends won't make any money from GAz Prom.

Try to learn some facts before you post.

Edited November 2, 2014 by japsportscarmad

[japsportscarmad]

I would strongly disagree with those who say that the U boat crew aren't heroes because of their evil government.

German soldiers and sailors were mostly draftees, and were only doing their duty. Maybe a percentage were Nazi supporters, but even so, they were fighting for their country.

As WWII fades further into history, I have only the greatest respect for the German and Japanese soldiers. Other than the Psycopaths, whose cruelty was criminal, they fought bravely for their country and each other. If it wasn't for the industrial capacity of the USA, the inevitable victories of the allies would have been much more costly, and maybe even fought to a stalemate.

Are you aware of the Rape of Nanking?

Seems like being a psychopath was the fashionable thing back then.

One of the most harrowing books I've read - The Rape of Nanking.

German and Japanese forces ignored the rules of war, were instigators of attacks on civilians, POWs and guilty of racial based murders.

The German's were the first to introduce unrestricted submarine warfare, bombing of civilians by air, attacks using chemical weapons, executions of civilian hostages and breaches of the Hague and Geneva conventions. They carried on their "traditions" from WW1 into WW2. Win at all costs.

The barbarity and inhumanity of the servicemen of the Empire of Japan is well documented.

I can appreciate not all were right wing extremists and worshipers of Hitler or Hirohito. But many, many were. I have no respect for any one who fought for either of those evil regimes. Both believed they were the 'master race".

Both the Japanese people and the German people still cry like babies about the allied bombings both forgot who started it No they were not heroes but big babies. Still today their grandchildren are crying and complaining What a bunch of babies. But the Chinese and Russians are going to get them again this time

And today they are still crying and complaining about the bombings

Many people cry about the past take the jews for instance their whole history is based on feeling a bit sad about the bad deal they have had from just about everyone through history they have met including what the Germans did, but I don't see the Germans or Japanese crying In fact the Japanese still celebrate the war and Germany sort of keeps a bit quiet don't they, sort of try to think it never happened and they lost twice. However, in the old East where anti semitism and a longing for the nazi past is still very strong in some areas. Same in countries such as Hungary.

In fact the Germans have done well after the war considering the British flattened most of their industrialised cities such as Dresden and half the country was partitioned to Stalins Soviets, they're the strongest economy in the World per capita head. Apart from its national debt been well over its GDP Japan is the strongest country in its region and well protected militarily by the USA so relatively safe as well.

As to inhumanity in war if your in a situation where your comrades are getting killed then your probably going to dehumanise your enemy and want to hurt them any way you can the recent case of the Brits involvement in Kenya underlines even the best trained and equipped army in the world can commit atrocities. I understood during the war with Germany though British POWs were treated generally at least to the minimum standards, but even the Americans were accused of torture to get confessions for Nuremberg against the captured German prisoners. The Japanese were truly evil to all including their own people as can be seen with the Burmese railway using forced labour. You've probably never been in a situation like a soldier and had to deal with really nasty stuff and it's easy to criticise sat behind your accountants desk. IS at the moment are very cruel and not very nice. You can see many countries still believing they are the master race having exclusive use of lands at the expense of all others. The world is a very nasty place.

Edited November 2, 2014 by japsportscarmad

[cooked]

I would strongly disagree with those who say that the U boat crew aren't heroes because of their evil government.

German soldiers and sailors were mostly draftees, and were only doing their duty. Maybe a percentage were Nazi supporters, but even so, they were fighting for their country.

As WWII fades further into history, I have only the greatest respect for the German and Japanese soldiers. Other than the Psycopaths, whose cruelty was criminal, they fought bravely for their country and each other. If it wasn't for the industrial capacity of the USA, the inevitable victories of the allies would have been much more costly, and maybe even fought to a stalemate.

Are you aware of the Rape of Nanking?

Seems like being a psychopath was the fashionable thing back then.

One of the most harrowing books I've read - The Rape of Nanking.

German and Japanese forces ignored the rules of war, were instigators of attacks on civilians, POWs and guilty of racial based murders.

The German's were the first to introduce unrestricted submarine warfare, bombing of civilians by air, attacks using chemical weapons, executions of civilian hostages and breaches of the Hague and Geneva conventions. They carried on their "traditions" from WW1 into WW2. Win at all costs.

The barbarity and inhumanity of the servicemen of the Empire of Japan is well documented.

I can appreciate not all were right wing extremists and worshipers of Hitler or Hirohito. But many, many were. I have no respect for any one who fought for either of those evil regimes. Both believed they were the 'master race".

Both the Japanese people and the German people still cry like babies about the allied bombings both forgot who started it No they were not heroes but big babies. Still today their grandchildren are crying and complaining What a bunch of babies. But the Chinese and Russians are going to get them again this time

And today they are still crying and complaining about the bombings

Bombing civilian populations in Germany deliberately was unnecessary. It didn't do much good in the UK either even though England KNEW ( not thought) that they were going to be invaded soon.Churchill later wrote that one of his greatest worries was the activities of the Atlantic U boats. There was a gap in air cover over the Atlantic for longer than necessary due to efforts being turned towards killing civilians.

Quote from Wikipedia: Even in mid-1942, Coastal Command only had two squadrons of Liberators and B-17s,^[3] and at the first sign of Coastal Command's success against U-boats, Harris sought to have their aircraft used in attacking German cities.Mad bomber Harris as he was known.