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

Germany at the beginning of WWII in September 1939 had only 56 U-Boats, most of them training boats, only 22 were suitable for operating in the Atlantic?

the British Merchant Navy alone lost over 30,238 men killed?

at the Anglo-German Naval Agreement in June 1935 Germany volunteered to restrict the strength of its Navy to 35% of that of the British Navy? The U-Boat Arm was 45%.

Little Known Submarine Facts

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 #125 next month.

91. Konter Admiral (RADM) Erich Bey was killed when the battle cruiser SCHARNHORST was sunk Christmas 1943 and from a battle strength of 2,133 - only 16 men were saved!

92. HMS UPHOLDER sank the Italian troopships OCEANA and NEPTUNIA in September 1941.

93. The American attack on Okinawa was the largest amphibious assault of the Pacific War.

94. USS LEXINGTON, which was a converted battle cruiser, was so badly damaged in the Battle of the Coral Sea that she had to be sunk by the U.S. Navy.

95. The 8th most successful U.S. Navy sub. C. O. was the famed Dudley ‘MUSH’ Morton who commanded USS R-5 and USS WAHOO. Over 6 patrols, he sank 17 Japanese ships

Now, for KTB #125 - do you know.......

96. What Royal Navy aircraft carrier launched SWORDFISH torpedo bombers to hunt for BISMARCK but attacked the Royal Navy cruiser HMS SHEFFIELD in error?
97. What were the five U.S. Navy aircraft carriers lost in the war?
98. What were the six U.S. Navy escort carriers lost in the war?
99. What was the only USN aircraft carrier lost in the Atlantic?
100. Who was the 7th most successful US Navy submarine C.O.?

Let me throw in one more really tough riddle - What was the first German U-Boat to sink a ship since World War I? What was her victim? Where did this take place? Who was the Skipper?

I’ll give you a clue - this is NOT as easy as it appears.