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swim around u boat?
hi did u boat crews ever swim around and under the u boat when off duty???:hmm: :hmm: [no jokes please:smug: ]
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Doubt it
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I know this is off topic, but the USS Baya held a 'swimming call' for 20 minutes whilst on patrol. A PBY gave it ASW cover whilst they did so.
I don't think the U-Boats would have had swimming in the Atlantic, as it's a bit cold :nope: . I don't know about the warmer climates though :sunny: . |
It wasn't uncommon for some of the U-Boat crews to go for a swim in warm waters in safe areas like the Azores or Canaries. Doubly beneficial with no showers on board. One crewmember did have to remain on deck with a rifle to keep an eye out for sharks.
Kinda curious as to why this question is in the SH4 area. :hmm: |
I would wager it happened as often as possible based on the
hygeine issues alone, ive read of a few american crews at it. M |
Nothing like a little salt water to take care of those rashes, fungi's and owies.....oooohhhh that burns so good.
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I have an imaginary swim call screenie in the realistic thread (cape Verde islands) :D
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I have video footage of a u boat crew playing around in the wash, although still on deck. The boat is so low in the water that they are practically in the sea really. Its pretty funny footage. They are all butt naked and slipping around on the decks having a great time.
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they did, there was even one U-boat wich got attacked by a airplane (and shot it down) while the crew was having a swim...
the captain tryed not to give away to much info why they were there... but it turned out they were waiting for a Milchkuh wich was in the area |
1 U-boat ace even died by breaking his neck while trying to dive into the sea for a swim.
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That would be Rolf Muetzelberg, he dived off the conning tower and landed on one of the saddle tanks. The U-Boat apparntly was drifting sideways a little when he dived off. |
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Perhaps slightly OT, but this is touched on in Leadership Lecture by Kapitän zur See Wolfgang Lüth This is actually a good read as it gives a glimpse of day-to-day life onboard a U-boat; some may find, for example, the gramophone records typically carried onboard Luth's U-boats interesting and surprising. |
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I am not sure that he break his neck, I think he hited the saddle tank with his head and died 2 days after! |
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little off topic from WWII to Vietnam...there were a number of of incidents where U.S. patrol craft crews when off duty went water sking. As for U-boat crews...im sure it happened at least once, cause it somewhat raises morale to have a break, and im sure it was probably down south, away from the english channel as that was by far the warmest waters.
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Like already mentioned, they did swim when it was calm. Some even build hammocks to the deck and bathed in sun. I have a book with lots of photos of the crew just laying around the deck when off duty.
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Yes they did, a U-boat captain was killed when he dove from the conning tower and slammed into the saddle tank head first.
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That was a most interesting read JScones, thanks much.
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