Questions for Navy Veterans from a 10 year old wanna be Historian!

[radic202]

Hey Gang, first of all I am a Canadian Air Force Brat, so Navy is way beyond my area of expertise.....

Anyhow, preparing my 10 year old Nephew's (Godson) Confirmation for tomorrow and took some time to look at the History channel Remembrance Day Documentaries and he was totally into it: then started asking me some questions that I was unsure of the answers, so where is to get the best answers is to come here...........to the best Military Experts in the Online World.

David asks:

When WW2 ended, many if not all the German U-Boats in the North Atlantic surrendered to various Navies: Canadian, Yank, Brit and probably many other Allied Navies.

1 - What ever happened to all those Subs after they surrendered? Where they all sank or is scuttled the proper term? Made razor blades out off, or where any kept as museum pieces, and if so where? As I can't think of one place where you can actually see an original German U-Boat.

2 - They mentioned that instead of the German Swastika flag, the Germans flew Blag Flags, what does that black flag mean exactly? Is that the equivalent off the "white surrender" flag that many of us all know? Or is it something completely different?

Thanks in advance Gang, as David awaits answers form the "experts"

Next I will have him watch "Greatest Tank Battles" and this story: In February 1945, the First Canadian Army launches an attack to cross the Rhine and enter the German heartland. This is the story of the struggle for the Hochwald Gap – the final obstacle blocking the Allies, which the Germans are determined to hold at any cost.

He may have more. So happy to see someone so interested in our past.

[Boomer78]

Not sure about the first question. I would imagine that most were scuttled, some were taken apart for their engines and other parts, and a few were probably donated to various military museums. I know that a few American museums still have some type VII subs on display.

The black flag means combat... in older times it meant 'no quarter' and was often used by pirates and other non-declared vessels to mean 'we mean to fight.' The skull and crossbones and similar pirate flags typically had one thing in common - a black background referring to the combat status.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_black_flags

[british exil]

In Kiel Germany you can see an old german sub. Also the sub pens are still there, although they were bombed by the British after the war.

I know Sinn watches use steel which is called U-Boot Stahl, but no idea if it is really sub metal or just the same kind of metal.

Mat

[radic202]

Thanks Boomer78.

BTW, I am 12 not 10 Uncle??? LOL!

We must have misinterpreted the Black flag waving thinking it meant "surrender". So truly appreciate your answers.

So he started to ask another question and again, I am an Air-Force Brat, I get sea-sick on a canoe, but after checking this out, was even unaware that Canada also had an Aircraft Carrier at one point and found this on the net. Without further research, I guess it was a British Ship that the Canadian Government purchase way back during the Korea peninsula war era. Not sure whatever happened to it though.

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Guess one question leads to another. I think I am having as much fun as him discovering new and old things.

Thanks a bunch.

[radic202]

ORIGINAL: british exil

In Kiel Germany you can see an old german sub. Also the sub pens are still there, although they were bombed by the British after the war.

I know Sinn watches use steel which is called U-Boot Stahl, but no idea if it is really sub metal or just the same kind of metal.

Mat

Thanks british exil, what exactly is a "sub pen", guess an area where you repair subs?

[british exil]

What you airforce people would call a hanger. If you've seen the film Das Boot. then you can see just before the end U96 being sailed into a pen, just doesn't make it in time.

Massive concrete roofed docks, where repairs and maintance would take place.

Mat

[Greybriar]

ORIGINAL: radic202
....When WW2 ended, many if not all the German U-Boats in the North Atlantic surrendered to various Navies: Canadian, Yank, Brit and probably many other Allied Navies.

1 - What ever happened to all those Subs after they surrendered? Where they all sank or is scuttled the proper term? Made razor blades out off, or where any kept as museum pieces, and if so where? As I can't think of one place where you can actually see an original German U-Boat.

This site lists the German U-boats that surrendered at the end of World War II and what happened to them.

ORIGINAL: radic202
2 - They mentioned that instead of the German Swastika flag, the Germans flew Blag Flags, what does that black flag mean exactly? Is that the equivalent off the "white surrender" flag that many of us all know? Or is it something completely different?....

According to this, after Germany surrendered, "....the German High Command broadcast an order for all U-boats at sea to surrender. U-boats were to surface and remain surfaced. They were to report their position and number to the nearest British, United States, Canadian or Russian wireless station; fly a black or blue flag...."

I am not and never was in the navy, but I gleaned the above information from the 'net. Google is your friend. [;)]

[radic202]

Wow, awesome! I had no idea that the Nippon Imperial Navy had acquired some. I learned something there for sure.

Yep, Google is a good friend, but I always prefer first hand information first or at least someone who can assure me that the information I am being linked to is accurate as you can't always believe what you read on the net kind of thing.

Thanks so much gang for the valuable information.

[Neilster]

Scroll down a bit to modern uses...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jolly_Roger

Cheers, Neilster

[Skipjack_]

ORIGINAL: radic202

As I can't think of one place where you can actually see an original German U-Boat.

The U-505 was captured by a U.S. Anti-sub patrol in 1944 and is on display at the museum of science and industry in Chicago, IL.
The story of her capture and preservation by the task force commander is a good one - read about it in World War II magazine.

[CV60]

You are right, the U-505 story is a great sea tale. Dan Gallery was a gifted writer and his story of the capture is an excellent read. Here's a photo of U-505 shortly after capture. It appears to be wallowing quite a bit in this photo.

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: radic202

So he started to ask another question and again, I am an Air-Force Brat, I get sea-sick on a canoe, but after checking this out, was even unaware that Canada also had an Aircraft Carrier at one point and found this on the net. Without further research, I guess it was a British Ship that the Canadian Government purchase way back during the Korea peninsula war era. Not sure whatever happened to it though.

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warspite1

Canada had three carriers radic202, although not all at the same time.

During the war I believe two escort carriers were crewed by Canadians - HMS Nabob was one - but they remained HM Ships.

Post war the Canadians wanted two carriers. The first, a Colossus-class carrier, was delivered by the British in 1946 and named HMCS Warrior.

She was returned to the RN soon after as she was unable to operate in the harsher climate that the RCN was routinely to operate in.

She was swapped for HMCS Magnificent, a Majestic-class carrier which served until the late 50's, whereupon she was replaced by HMCS Bonaventure (another Majestic-class and formerly HMS Powerful).

The Majestic's were essentially updated Colossus-class. Both were light fleet carriers.

[radic202]

Wow, thanks warspite1 for this great info.

[uncc]

ORIGINAL: Skipjack_

ORIGINAL: radic202

As I can't think of one place where you can actually see an original German U-Boat.

The U-505 was captured by a U.S. Anti-sub patrol in 1944 and is on display at the museum of science and industry in Chicago, IL.
The story of her capture and preservation by the task force commander is a good one - read about it in World War II magazine.

I used to live in the Chicago-land area and was able to tour the U-505. Very cool to actually be able to walk around in it.

http://www.msichicago.org/whats-here/ex ... Ogod8gEAQw

[radic202]

For sure whenever I visit Chicago next, this museum piece will be on my do to list. Thanks.