ANSWERS

According to JAMES BERRY (2194-1992) our American Fleet boats did have valves at the bottom of the fuel tanks. When the fuel was used, the fuel tanks were used as additional ballast tanks and these valves came into play. This answers the question by BILL PLEXICO (4037-1994).

TONY FOSTER (4664-1996) asked about the resupply ports in the Mediterranean, and here is the answer from GERHARD RICHTER (214-LIFE-1986).

“Well, I sailed in the Mediterranean on U-81 between November 1941 and December 1942, when I was transferred to the Radio School in Flensburg-Mürwick. We used as ports La Spezia in Northwestern Italy; Pola in Istria (now Croatia). U-81 was sunk in that port in January 1944 by aircraft of the 15th Air Force. We also used Salamis, just outside of Piraeus, Greece. I assume these ports were still used in 1943. Later also Toulon, Southern France was used. All boats of the 29th U-Boot Flotille operated from these three ports.”

QUESTIONS

Mrs. Donna Slaten, wife of DALE SLATEN (2374-1992) would like to know about USS ATHERTON. Her grandfather was known as ‘Pappy’ because he was the oldest man on the ship. She would like to hear from anyone who knew ‘Pappy’ and who could tell her anything about her grandfather. If you knew ‘Pappy’ please contact us and we’ll pass it along to Mrs. Slaten.

ROGER BESAW (4229-1995) asks if at any time, any German Warrant Officer or a Petty Officer took command of a U-Boat after the officers fell sick, were injured or killed.

PAUL PASSANTE (4323-1995) wants information on the ship CHAPULTAPEC. His father served aboard that tanker in the US Navy ‘ARMED GUARD’. Anyone have anything on this ship?

Incidentally PAUL, your flashing buttons were a smash again in Russia and Ukraine. Everyone loved them and as always, I ran out of buttons long before we departed.

Japanese Midgets

JAPANESE MIDGETS - No, this is not about undersized sumo wrestlers. JOHN BROUSSARD (386-1995) wants to know about the midget submarines in the I.J.N. He is particularly interested in the contra-rotating propellers but also would like to know the maximum diving depth; underwater speed; underwater duration on the batteries etc. He would like to find any line drawings, prints, design drawings etc. He would also like to hear from anyone who served on a Japanese midget submarine. Let us know if you rode such a boat and we’ll pass it on.

V-1 and V-2 testing sites in northwest Florida? Yep, and we found some of them - but BUD DANA (245-A/LIFE-1987) would like to know where any more of them are located. Please let us know of any such testing sites familiar to you.

GENERAL STACK of the THUNDERBIRD Division VERY IMPORTANT! We need information on this General over May 1 through May 16, 1945. This is of CRITICAL importance to history. Please let us know anything on Stack. This is a project BUD DANA (245-A/LIFE-1987) is following.

FRANK SCHOLEY (3763-1994) would like to know if any crew of U-195 when that boat was in Surabaya are still alive today. He particularly would like to know the fate of Captain Steinfeld, or how to contact the base commander, Kapitänleutnant Hoppe.

I know that many of these men must be alive today, as their boat was not destroyed in combat but was given over to the I.J.N. when Germany surrendered and was re-named I-506. Moreover, one of our Members served aboard that boat - PROF. MATHIAS BRÜNIG (1943-LIFE-1991) was an officer on U-195, so I am also asking him if he has anything to add to this question.