#U boot german code

While distant operations by the Hilfskreuzers, or surface raiders, were still reaping success, there was no urgent need to augment them and in any case the BdU (Commander-in-Chief Submarines), Admiral Karl Donitz was unwilling to transfer the scarce, long-range Type IX U-boats away from the critical Atlantic battles. U-boats in the Far EastĪlthough Germany began developing plans for U-boat operations in the Indian Ocean early in the Second World War, it was not until late 1942 that practical action was taken. Note the emblem visible on the front of the conning tower depicting a chimney sweep which was adopted as a bringer of good luck.

Elsewhere, Allied anti-submarine measures had largely driven the once feared ‘grey wolves’ from the shipping routes, but Timm had just detected a large concentration of shipping at the eastern entrance to Bass Strait and no escorts were apparent. Korvettenkapitän Timm was actually making his observation while operating off the Australian east coast where he believed he had at last found another safe hunting ground for the U-boat arm. In December 1944, however, U-862 was not in the Atlantic, and although planned to be part of a larger offensive, the U-boat was in reality quite alone.

For the Allies it was a major disaster, for the U-boat commanders it would become regarded as the second ‘Happy Time’ of the Battle of the Atlantic. In the four months it took for the Americans to introduce effective anti-submarine measures, 137 ships of almost one million tons would be lost. In the first two weeks of the campaign, a mere five U-boats sank 25 allied ships totalling 200,000 tons.

#U boot german code

The Paukenschlag, or Operation DRUMBEAT, alluded to above by the commander of U-862, was the code name for the German U-boat offensive against the American Atlantic coast that began in January 1942. Korvettenkapitän Heinrich Timm, Commanding Officer U-862, December 1944. It is located near Humble Bee Creek, Stoke Saltings, on the Isle of Grain marshes, but people are advised the area is difficult and dangerous to reach.If we could only have had more boats it would have led to a Paukenschlag like that off the coast of America. Mr Dunkley believes it is well protected in situ, adding: 'The U-boat is not under threat of deterioration and is being preserved where it is.' Remains of U-boat abandoned on the Kentish marshes. The vessel was among 100 U-boats that were brought to the River Medway to be scrapped after the First World War. He added: 'We know that some U-boat engines were re-used at a cement works at Halling and the Medway U-boat does show that her engines were cut out.' Mark Dunkley, a marine expert with English Heritage, said: 'Everything has been taken out of the U-boat that would lead its identification, but our best hunch is that it is the UB122.' Launched in February 1918, the vessel was surrendered nine months later - having undergone just two unsuccessful patrols. It has been marooned on mudflats off the coast for nearly a century, but can now be seen more fully than usual after low tides following storm surges. A German U-boat from the First World War that lies encased in the mudflats of the Medway is causing quite a stir.Įxperts believe that the U-boat, which is the only visible wreckage of the deadly weapon in the UK, might be the UB122.