My visit to the U-995

[klh]

I realize that many of you have done this, but I have to share with fellow subsimmers who will understand. I had the opportunity on a business trip to Frankfurt to drive to Laboe and visit the U-995 last Thursday. It felt like completing a quest.

This completes my visits to all three of the remaining WWII U-boats (not counting the U2540 since it never went on patrol, but I hope to see that someday as well). I've been to the U-505 more times than I can count since I grew up in Indiana. I was fortunate to live in Liverpool for a few years, and I went on board the U-534 (before they cut her up - what a shame - there's nothing like going in through the hatch). And now, finally, the U-995. I feel like I should get some kind of merit badge or award, but I do have the coffee cups!


http://images17.fotki.com/v295/photos/5/1596225/8725001/IMGP7410-vi.jpg

I arrived early, and was the first one aboard. I pretty much had her to myself for an hour and a half, with only a few other visitors quickly walking through.

I haven't sorted my photos yet, but here's a link to them...

http://public.fotki.com/khaehl/miscellaneous/u-boats/

What a day. Now I can't wait to get in some serious SH3 time (my PC won't run SH5).

[MoN]

Quite a trip from Frankfurt to Kiel.
You could allways ask Ubi to add visiting them all as a Uplay achievement.... :har:

Planning on visiting U-995 again as soon as the weather gets better.

[Schroeder]

Well done.:up:

[klh]

Quite a trip from Frankfurt to Kiel.

About six hours on the Autobahn in a BMW convertible. :DL The only downside was the weather was too cold to put the top down.

[RConch]

Well done.
Been to U 505.
Hope to get U 995 one day.
You did not mention going to the U boat Memorial, hope you went and paid your respects.

[Sailor Steve]

I realize that many of you have done this, but I have to share with fellow subsimmers who will understand.
I missed the chance when I couldn't go to the Copenhagen Subsim meet last year. I'm glad you got to.

I've been to the U-505 more times than I can count since I grew up in Indiana.
I did that once, way back in 1962. Did you get to go through her, back when they'd let you inside?

I feel like I should get some kind of patch or award, but I do have the coffee cups!
You have my congratulations and envy; and they are awesome cups!:rock:

[klh]

You did not mention going to the U boat Memorial, hope you went and paid your respects.

Yes, I went there as well. The names on the wall put into perspective the reality of what, for us, is really a game. I went away impressed and respectful.

[MoN]

About six hours on the Autobahn in a BMW convertible. :DL The only downside was the weather was too cold to put the top down.

You missed the good weather by a few days, but i guess no speed limit made it quite enjoyable anyways.

[sharkbit]

Any pics?

:)

[Jimbuna]

Nice one....love the mugs :up:

I've never been to any.....yet :nope:

[Hitman]

You lucky one! :salute:

I must rate as one of the most idiot submarine fans in the world ... back in 2001 and despite being a long time Uboat fan (And playing AOTD a lot) I went with my wife and another copule to a leisure cruise to the Norwegian Fjords that departed from Kiel. We arrived one day before, and made an excursion to Lübeck and Hamburg, but I didn't know at that time that U995 existed. And then, when our cruise ship departed, we sailed no more than a couple metres away from where U995 is resting but were on our cabin unpacking luggage and having dinner later, and never had a chance to see it from the deck. Arrrghhhh when I think what I would have felt if I had been on the deck looking around boringly and suddenly seeing a VIIC/41 there :o:o:o

I'm a frigging IDIOT :damn::damn::damn:

[Brag]

Nice mug collection, well worth the drive :DL

[kurfürst]

Hello all,

there´s also a very interesting, but not so well known place to visit once you make it over to Germany and searching for U-Boat history. It´s the "Traditionsarchiv Unterseeboote", located at Cuxhaven at the North Sea shores. The "Archive" actually consists out of two buildings; the Museum which is full of collected items from two Uboat Wars (Uniforms, Medals, Models, Weapons, etc.), and the Archive which keeps records and photos from almost every German submarine which serviced during WW2 (and partly also WW1). The "Traditionsarchiv" is run by Mr. Horst Bredow, who was a Watch Officer on a German U-Boat during the WW II.
The main target is to keep the memory of the U-Boats and the men in service alive.
From my own experience I can tell You that it is fascinating to see such a massive collection of U-Boat history at one place; there isn´t anything else in the world which offers more data and information on that topic. Visitors are always welcome, it is suggested to call and make an appointment before visiting.

More about the "Traditionsarchiv Unterseeboote" can be found here:
http://www.uboat.net/special/archiv/

If you need further infos, please drop me a PM.

Beste Grüsse,
Kurfürst :salute:

[Jimbuna]

You lucky one! :salute:

I must rate as one of the most idiot submarine fans in the world ... back in 2001 and despite being a long time Uboat fan (And playing AOTD a lot) I went with my wife and another copule to a leisure cruise to the Norwegian Fjords that departed from Kiel. We arrived one day before, and made an excursion to Lübeck and Hamburg, but I didn't know at that time that U995 existed. And then, when our cruise ship departed, we sailed no more than a couple metres away from where U995 is resting but were on our cabin unpacking luggage and having dinner later, and never had a chance to see it from the deck. Arrrghhhh when I think what I would have felt if I had been on the deck looking around boringly and suddenly seeing a VIIC/41 there :o:o:o

I'm a frigging IDIOT :damn::damn::damn:

Just imagine, you saved yourself the embarrassment of racing up to the bridge in an almighty panic shouting and screaming at the captain of your ship to take immediate evasive action. :o

Well perhaps not you....but you certainly saved your wife the embarrassment :haha:

[klh]

Any pics?

:)

Of course! Just finished uploading. They're linked above now.

[geosub1978]

For me, it was amazing looking down from the top of the memorial to the U-995 (50m height). This gave me a direct indication of the diving depth at sea! Furthermore, I kept on wathing the hydrophone device. It was so diffrent from the one that we have in SH3!

[Hitman]

Just imagine, you saved yourself the embarrassment of racing up to the bridge in an almighty panic shouting and screaming at the captain of your ship to take immediate evasive action. :o

Well perhaps not you....but you certainly saved your wife the embarrassment :haha:

DAMN THE TORPEDOES!! FULL SPEED AHEAD!!! :arrgh!: :haha:

[desirableroasted]

Great story and photos; thanks for sharing.

Looked her up on Wikipedia; how delightful to learn the Norwegians kept her in service until the 1960s. Did you get the sense they had upgraded her a lot? Or has the museum "retrofitted" her to 1945?

[klh]

Great story and photos; thanks for sharing.

Looked her up on Wikipedia; how delightful to learn the Norwegians kept her in service until the 1960s. Did you get the sense they had upgraded her a lot? Or has the museum "retrofitted" her to 1945?

There are others here who could answer that question better than I, but it appeared to me that she had been restored to 1945 condition as much as possible. I did notice the outer torpedo doors are welded shut, and there is some equipment missing (I didn't see the entire TDC in the control room). I didn't see anything that looked out of place (other than smooth treadplate, upgraded lighting, etc.).

[Jimbuna]

Absolutely tremendous photos....you have also given me a fantastic idea for this years SS Meet, should I be able to attend http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/thumbsup.gif

[h.sie]

Funny, I visited U-995 one day later, on Friday. And my girlfirend bought the "Kaleu Becher" (see first post) as a present / souvenir.

I really was impressed. The command room was much smaller / tighter than I assumed from playing SH3. Unbelievable that about 4 or 5 people could work there.

Although I live only 80km from U-995, it was the first visit for me.

[Redbear]

Congratulations Klh! I've been to U-505 a few times myself, and would love to see U-995! Maybe someday. Looks like you are one of the few (or only?) to complete the U Boat triple crown! :up:

[maillemaker]

Great pictures! I love that I recognize many of the things.

I need to make a trip to see U-505

Steve

[Elektranaut]

Fascinating photographs.
Why was U534 cut up by the way?

[Jimbuna]

Fascinating photographs.
Why was U534 cut up by the way?

Probably a cheaper option than refurbishing the interior.

[klh]

Fascinating photographs.
Why was U534 cut up by the way?

They needed to move her over to the Woodside ferry dock. As I understand it, it was too expensive to lift her in one piece, so they sliced her into cross section.

http://www.u-boatstory.co.uk/

[Iranon]

This thread is a very good wake-up call to not take your surroundings for granted. I live in Cuxhaven and haven't visited or even been aware of the archive yet.

In my defense, I would have been seriously tempted to nick the local type XXVII and take it on a joyride if I thought it was in any way operational, and have been to u-995 and u-2540 multiple times.

[sharkbit]

Nice pics. Thanks for sharing! :yeah:
:)

[JohnWoo]

Nice pics !