Little Known Submarine Facts

Did You Know...


from ERNST SCHMIDT (10-+-1983)

Did you know…..

  • Kapitänleutnant Lothar von Arnaud de la Perrier, commanding U-35, sank more ships than any other submarine commander in history? During World War I, he sank 224 ships totaling 539,711 tons and most with his deck gun. When he brought his boat back to a defeated Germany and saw the rampant Communist mobs running wild, he changed into his civilian clothes and melted away. When Germany again had a navy, he rose to the rank of Vize Admiral and was in charge of the liaison with the French dockyard workers. Things were smooth under his leadership, but one day, the plane in which he was traveling – crashed. He perished.

  • the most successful submarine on any navy in World War II was U-48? Under three Skippers, this submarine sank 51 ships for 310,007 gross tons. While Schultze, Rösing and Bleichrodt were actually the commanders, many give credit to the I.W.O., ‘Teddy’ Suhren who, it is said, did most of the shooting. When Bleichrodt was up for his Knights Cross, he said that he would not accept his unless Suhren got one too.

  • Wolfgang Lüth sank 44 ships for 227,000 tons and conducted the longest submarine patrol on record? His last patrol consumed 220 days at sea to the Indian Ocean and back aboard U-181. After the war ended, he was based with Großadmiral Dönitz at Mürwick outside Flensburg. Dönitz was now the German Chancellor and the Naval Academy was then the seat of what remained of the German Government. Dönitz was allowed to keep armed guards for some weeks after the surrendered and one night, Lüth walked home from a meeting. A sentry called for the password. Lüth was apparently deep in thought and did not hear, so the sentry fired one shot, killing Lüth instantly. This order to demand the password only once then shoot came directly from Lüth himself! 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 #180 next month.

    326. The aircraft carrier USS LEXINGTON, actually a converted battle cruiser, was heavily damaged in the Battle of the Coral Sea; was sunk by US Navy gunfire.

    327. The singe greatest loss to the US Navy in World War II had nothing to do with the Japanese Navy. Over 17 and 18 December 1944, a typhoon some 500 miles to the east of the Philippines caused the most damage.

    328. Losses from this typhoon included 769 lives lost; damage to eight aircraft carriers; the loss of 150 aircraft off the carriers; damage to several other ships and the capsizing of three destroyers.

    329. Outdated British SWORDFISH torpedo planes, looking for BISMARCK, erroneously attacked the Royal Navy cruiser HMS SHEFIELD. All torpedoes missed.

    330. The US Navy lost five aircraft carriers and six escort carriers during World War II. Alphabetically they were:

      Aircraft Carriers:
        HORNET
        LEXINGTON
        PRINCETON
        WASP
        YORKTOWN

      Escort Carriers:

        BISMARCK SEA
        BLOCK ISLAND
        GAMBIER BAY
        LISCOME BAY
        OMMANEY BAY
        ST. LO

    For this section in KTB #180, can you tell:
    331. What was the only USN carrier sunk in the Atlantic?
    332. What was the battle strength (in heavies) of the USN at the outbreak of WW II in December 1941?
    333. What was the battle strength (in heavies) of the I.J.N. at the outbreak of WW II in December 1941?
    334. What were the only two battleships in the Kriegsmarine when Germany went to war in 1939?
    335. In what battle did the Royal Navy lose the cruisers HMS FIJI and HMS GLOUSTER?

    Why These Awards?

    Sgt USA (Ret) MILTON CROW (913-2003) has two questions. Answers please?

    1. Did Großadmiral Dönitz hold the Gold Party Badge?

    2. Why did Großadmiral Dönitz award the Knights Cross with Oak Leaf to General Jodl?

    Anyone with correct answers, please let us know. Thanks.

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    © Copyright 2004 by Harry Cooper, Sharkhunters International, Inc.
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