from ERNST SCHMIDT (10-+-1983)

the Type VII-C German U-Boat could travel on the surface with diesel engines in direct drive at 17 knots, and could dive within 20 seconds to 100 feet? It carried 114 tons of oil and could travel 8,700 miles.

under the German “Z” Plan in 1935, Germany wanted to construct 6 battleships, 8 heavy cruisers, 4 aircraft carriers, several light cruisers and 233 U-Boats – but not until a planned completion date in 1948?

actually only 1/5 of all U-Boats were in enemy waters at any given time? The rest were on the way out, on the way in, being repaired and refitted, or used for training.

the submarine before WW II was actually a surface vessel and described as a ‘diving vessel’?

Churchill wrote ‘The only thing what ever really frightened me during the war was the U-Boat peril. The U-Boat attack was our worst evil. It would have been wise for the Germans to stake all upon it.’

German U-Boats were driven on the surface by diesel engines directly coupled to the propellers?