Visiting U-2540
As I am scheduled to leave Germany in about a week's time (due to a new assignment from the Army), I figured a good last weekend trip while here would be to go see U-2540 up in Bremerhaven (and I do mean "up!" - it was a 4.5 hour ride by train. :o) Nevertheless, it was a great day. The boat is very well-restored (it even still smells like grease and oil), and one can take as much time as they please touring around it (I think I spent around 45 minutes in it. :D).
Some of my observations (much like someone else did here for U-505):
-Even in the summer months, be prepared for cold weather! It was cloudy, windy and overcast all day yesterday, with temperatures in the mid-60s. After all, this is a display on the North Sea... ;)
-The tour is unguided, so you can spend as much time as you want crawling around the boat. Most placards inside the boat are translated into english and are quite informative (and quite technical, too).
-Don't be surprised if/when you see some obviously post-WWII equipment installed. This boat was, after all, used as a research ship during the Cold War era by the Bundesmarine. Nevertheless, some equipment is still WWII original, such as the electric engine controls, the Atlas Echolot, the galley, and the GHG sonar.
-There is also plenty more to see and do after finishing the U-2540 tour. The German Maritime Museum is located adjacent to the U-boat and features a wonderfully presented museum and many more ships to climb around on out in the harbor.
I took lots of photos yesterday, but unfortunately my computer is packed up right now. As soon as I get it set up again (in about a month's time), I will of course post some shots here. :)
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