from ERNST SCHMIDT (10-+-1983)
Did you know…..
- 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 German U-Boat Arm was restricted to 45%.
- Germany built U-Boats for the Finnish and Turkish Navies between both World Wars?
- in spring 1917 in World War I German U-Boats sank 800 ships totaling nearly two million tons?
- the convoy system started in 1917?
- the normal sized medium U-Boat (Type VII-C) had only 769 tons (submerged 871 tons), was 220 ¼ feet long with a conning tower 20 ¼ feet high and 15 ¾ feet wide?
Little Known Submarine (and Naval) Historical FactsThis section is for your own information – please do not send the answers here. They will be in KTB #175 next month.
Answers
301: The German blockade runner ODENWALD was disguised as the American ship SS WILLMOTO, prior to the American entry into World War II.
302: The blockade runner ODENWALD was intercepted and captured by the American cruiser USS OMAHA in company with the destroyer USS SOMERS in the Atlantic Ocean in November 1941.
303: During the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor December 7th, 1941, the hospital ship USS SOLACE was plainly marked with white hull and large red crosses, and the Japanese pilots did not attack this ship.
304: The largest battleship ever built was the 72,809ton Japanese YAMATO. She was sister ship to MUSASHI and SHINANO but the latter was fitted out as an aircraft carrier which was sunk by the submarine USS ARCHER-FISH under command of JOE ENRIGHT (2142-+-1992). Because the US Naval Intelligence had no idea of the existence of SHINANO, they refused to give ENRIGHT credit for the sinking until decades later
305: YAMATO and her screen of eight ships boldly attacked the American fleet off Okinawa on 7 April 1945. She and five of the escorts were sunk in less than two hours.
Now for KTB #175 next month, try these bits of naval history:
306: Prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, when was the last time that so many American battleships had been together in one port?
307: What were the three Japanese carriers sunk at Midway?
308: What was the Japanese carrier damaged at Midway?
309: Who spotted the first Japanese submarine prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor?
310: What was the German ship that was boarded by the Royal Navy in neutral Norwegian waters to free nearly 300 British merchant seamen?
Remember – do not send the answers here. This is meant for your enjoyment and the answers will be in KTB #175 next month.
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© Copyright 2004 by Harry Cooper, Sharkhunters International, Inc.
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