from ERNST SCHMIDT (10-+-1983)

Did you know…..

• German U-Boats were driven on the surface by diesel engines directly coupled to the propellers?
• submerged U-Boats used battery driven electric motors & they could travel about 60 miles in 24 hours before the batteries ran flat?
• it took 2 to 3 hours to recharge the batteries to full power? The electric motors were now used as generators.
• at 500 feet down, there are 16 tons of pressure per square foot against the sub?
• the fuel tanks on German U-Boats were open at the bottom and so, basically floated on oil?

Little Known Submarine (and Naval) Historical Facts

This section is for your own information – please do not send the answers here. They will be in KTB #176 next month.

311. The first official contact between the Japanese and Americans at Pearl Harbor took place at 0342 on 7 December 1941 when the watch officer, Ensign R. C. McCloy aboard the minesweeper USS CONDOR, advised Quartermaster B. C. Uttrick that he had sighted a periscope about 100 yards abeam of the ship, portside. The destroyer USS WARD was called in to investigate, but no further contact was made.

312. The idea of Kamikaze was developed by Vice Admiral Takijiro Ohnishi. During a senior staff meeting on 19 October 1944, he suggested that planes armed with 550 pound bombs should crash into the American aircraft carriers.

313. When Germany invaded Russia during Operation BARBAROSSA, their troop strength was three times greater than that of Napoleon with some 620,000 men, pieces of equipment, and cavalry.

314. While the Wehrmacht had 3,350 tanks, the Soviets had nearly 10,000 at the ready during that invasion, and used more than 21,000 tanks in the war.

315. The four German Fleet Commanders in World War II were: Admiral Günther Lütjens, who went down with BISMARCK when she was sunk; Admirals Hermann Böhm & Wilhelm Marschall who were both removed from command due to differences with Berlin; and Admiral Otto Schniewind.

Now, for KTB #177 next month, see if you know:

316. Where were the three American aircraft carriers of the USN Pacific Fleet during the attack on Pearl Harbor?
317. How did hostilities begin in the Philippines?
318. What was the Flagship of the USN Pacific Fleet at the time of the attack, and where was she?
319. What was the fate of the German GNEISENAU?
320. What was the first ship sunk at Pearl Harbor?

Remember – do not send answers here. This is meant for your enjoyment, and the answers will be in KTB #177.

Here is a Question we do need answered

FRANK KULICK (6662-2003) would like to know:

Looking back at the submarine war, what should Germany have done differently to make a difference in the outcome of the Battle of the Atlantic?

How rough for the ocean (sea state) would be too rough to launch a successful torpedo attack?

What was the reload time for all four forward tubes?