Did You Know?
by OBLT Ernst Schmidt (10-1983)

Oberleutnant zur See Karl Dönitz as C.O. of UB-68, on October 4, 1918 in the Mediterranean while attacking a British convoy, was sunk and taken prisoner of war in Malta? He built in 1935 the new German U-Boat Arm for the rebuilt Navy, and became Grand Admiral and eventually succeeded Hitler in the last month of World War II.

German U-Boats in WW II sank 2,979 merchant ships, a total of over 14.36 million tons, and 184 Allied Naval vessels?

This quiz is meant for your enjoyment only. It is meant to improve your knowledge of submarine and naval history. Please do NOT call or write here with answers; they’ll be in KTB #123 next month

81. The US Navy veteran who was so ashamed of his name that he changed it right after World War II was William Patrick Hitler, the son of Adolf Hitler’s half brother Alois. He changed his name and lived in the New York City area.

82. When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor the three US Navy aircraft carriers were not in port. USS SARATOGA was headed for the US mainland for repairs; USS LEXINGTON was delivering 24 scout bombers to Midway Island and USS ENTERPRISE was returning to Pearl Harbor after delivering planes to Wake Island.

(HARRY’s NOTE - so many journalists, historians etc. make such a big thing about how fortunate the United States was that the carriers were not in Pearl Harbor during the attack and were still operational - but no one remembers how fortunate the USA was that her submarines were still operating. It was the American submarines that did so much damage to Japan. The carriers played a very big part, but without the submarines, it would have been so much tougher on the rest of the fleet.)

83. Japan opened hostilities in the Philippines when twenty-two planes from the aircraft carrier RYUJO attacked the USN seaplane tender USS WILLIAM B. PRESTON in Davao Gulf off Mindanao on 7 December, 1941 which was actually 8 December in Manila.

84. Even though she was in drydock in the Navy Yard across from Ford Island at the time of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, USS PENNSYLVANIA was Flagship of the US Pacific Fleet on 7 December, 1941.

85. The 10th most successful US Navy submarine Skipper was William B. Sieglaff, Skipper of USS TAUTOG (SS 199) and USS TENCH (SS 417). Over seven war patrols on these two submarines, accounted for sinking of 15 ships.

Now for KTB #122, do you know - -

86. What was the final fate for GNEISENAU?
87. What was the first ship sunk at Pearl Harbor?
88. Where was the first naval action between the USN and IJN?
89. How successful was the US Navy’s submarine force?
90. Who was the 9th most successful US Navy submarine CO?