ERICH TOPP (118-LIFE-1985) was the Third most successful submarine commander of World War II in any Navy. He won the KNIGHTS CROSS with OAK LEAF CLUSTER and the CROSSED SWORDS as well as the U-BOAT BADGE with DIAMONDS. Here is a new, never-before published interview with the Skipper of the ‘RED DEVIL BOOT’.

The TYPE XXI was a remarkable submarine. Well, the main thing was it had a higher under-water speed, in excess of seventeen knots and its endurance was considerable. In addition, it possessed a new anti-aircraft radar as well as a new sonar called NIEBELUNG.

With that sonar, you were able to detect with both active as well as passive lines of bearing. That was new for us, because in the older boats, we had only, a listening device (GHG) which was only passive but very, very good, in that we could hear a convoys screws up to 30 miles away. But could not generate active impulses with that gear of that earlier time.

So, I think the combination of higher underwater speed and greater submerged endurance was of greater advantage, when compared with the older type of submarine.

So when you ask me if it have changed the outcome of the Battle of the Atlantic, I must say no. The reason being, that the Type XXI boat, based upon experiences during exercises earlier in the Baltic, was a solo act. Because during simulated convoy actions, we tried to find out if we could revive the old Rudeltaktik (The Wolf pack system). But it was impossible, because we were always submerged and never saw the sunlight. When we put to sea, we stayed submerged from the time we left until we returned, because of the snorkel. Also, because of the communications submerged, we were unable to communicate with the other boats to give them bearing directions to a convoy. So we could not revive the pack tactics.

So, while it had greater depth capability than the other boats, the XXI Boat; it was a solo performer and with it's greater depth, the boat’s security was better. And when attacked, it could evade very easily with its higher submerged speed. But the increased number of sinkings would not have changed the fundamental outcome in the Atlantic.

How deep could a Type XXI dive? Well, you know there were several depths. There was the so called security depth, which as I recall, was about 400 meters. But, the normal operating depth was 250 meters.

It was all very impressive, but the main advantage, compared the other boats, was the high under-water speed. You can not believe how it changed things because with the sonar, you could always evade the destroyers. But we did not have computer onboard but we were able with our sonar, to track several targets. But, we could only pinpoint them.

U-Boat Memorial

Regarding the Memorial, I was an architect after the war. I can tell you something about the U-Boat Memorial at Möltenort, from both the veterans and architects points of view and about the design and meaning of the memorial. Well, it is a very good memorial from the architectural design; very impressive to see the bronze tablets with all of the names of those who lost their lives. It reminds me of the war and how many did not come back, not to mention the conditions under which their deaths occurred. It is a very interesting place.

You know that I participated in the rebuilding and restoring of the other Navy Memorial at Laboe. There were difficult discussions there as to how a look could be obtained that would draw out the correct feelings from visitors to the Memorial. I was against showing all of the ships that had been lost in the course of the war.

From my point of view, they should have had an artist illustrate the spirit that was lost and not the equipment. This can only be done with inspiration; and artistic inspiration.

The Sinking of the Reuben James

And now to refocus on the REUBEN JAMES; the sinking of the REUBEN JAMES (DD245). We only saw an explosion, and a very, very strong second explosion (the forward magazine in DD245) then nothing. Later a second destroyer, the NIBLACK (DD424) came to assist. At that point, I could have attacked again, in the middle of the rescue operations by the other escorts. But I did not want to disturb the rescue activities so we left the scene.

Years later, as I mentioned in my book, I read of the dramatic situation on board REUBEN JAMES with the loss of more than a hundred people, and under what dramatically tragic conditions they lost their lives because that second explosion of the depth charges was catastrophic, as crewmen were blown into the fire and burning oil. When I read that, I couldn't forget it.

Anyhow, what my feelings were when I went on board the LSD years later, in San Diego. Once I was received aboard with the normal ceremony (with side boys at the quarter deck, to the sound of the Bosun’s pipe) I was received very coolly at first by the captain. When we were together in his cabin, he mentioned that he had been an officer in NIBLACK and had taken over the rescue operations for the REUBEN JAMES. One of his best friends had been aboard that ship, and were quite close. He had tried to find that person among wreckage, but with no luck. He had suffered a great loss. Now he wanted to meet the man who had caused that loss.

He told me of the rescue effort and when we parted, I think that we left each other with the conviction that you can not evade your fate. At that time (31 October 1941) I was the captain of a submarine, and it was my duty to destroy the enemy - and his was to save the convoy. So when it comes to an action, there are losses. That's war! In today’s world, with the horrible weapons, it's best that we leave the huge questions to the diplomats.

Red Devil Emblem

In my book, it is described how, on all three of my boats (U-57,U-552, and U-2513) we painted our distinguishing emblem of the two red dancing devils. One is holding up the torch of life, the other the torch of death and destruction.

The torch! Well, you know these two red dancing devils on the sides of the conning tower. One represented life and the other destruction. I had lost my previous boat U-57 not through enemy action but as we were returning to Germany via the Kiel Canal, we were rammed by a Norwegian ship (RONA, 3 Sep., 1940) and sunk, with the loss of six of our crew.

We know that the Norwegian saw us, because all of our lights were on. So, the torch of destruction bit me. Even after I took over my next boat, U-2513, I had the two dancing devils painted on the boat’s tower, as it was the custom at the time.

Practical Jokes

You ask if, on the boat, did anyone ever play tricks on one another? Well no, not with the crew. But, we did have people like you on board. I remember one time in St. Nazaire, we had to leave harbor to test the boat so we went to sea accompanied by a mine sweeper. On board we had a few journalists, one of whom seemed to think that he had all of the answers. But we knew different.

So, we decided to improve his attitude with some simulated danger. As we cleared St. Nazaire, the individual was in the control room while I was on the bridge. Once at sea, I gave the alarm signal and dropped down, as the Watch officer stayed on the bridge. We were not diving, but giving the boat an angle by putting an angle on the starboard quarter.

The Watch officer, then threw hand grenades over the side, which gave a great bang. Down in the boat, I said, "We are being attacked by British air!"

This while we took pictures, especially of this man. Later it was apparent that he did not have the force that he had shown earlier. Later, we sent him the pictures, in memory of his war patrol.

But, you know, I can not remember a war patrol where there was anything funny. It was always strict and we were always very alert.

More RADM Erich Topp

RADM Erich Topp and the Red Devil Boat (part 1) [KTB 120]
RADM Erich Topp and the Red Devil Boat (part 2) [KTB 121]
RADM Erich Topp and the Red Devil Boat (part 3) [KTB 122]
RADM Erich Topp and the Red Devil Boat (part 4) [KTB 123]
RADM Erich Topp and the Red Devil Boat (part 5) [KTB 124]