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Faamecanic · 07-25-05, 09:13 AM

I'll chime in again here...

I just finished a book called "U-Boat War Patrol" (an EXCELLENT book btw...over 400 pictures of crew and boat while on patrol) that was written about U-564. It was written after extensive research and using the U-boat commanders war patrol log. It followed the boat and crew on one complete patrol to the Caribbean and back. U-564 was a Type VIIB (or C) I think. Im at work and dont have the book with me so I will quote it later.

Now for the interesing fact. The Uboat engaged a Tanker somewhere near Santo domingo (again I think because Im trying to go from memory). The U-boat engaged the tanker with the 8.8cm DECK GUN ONLY as they had no torps left.

Here is how they did it. First the gunners would come up throough the conning tower and down to the deck. Other crewmembers would pass shells up from a closet near the Commanders bunk and SLIDE them down a track like assembly from the conning tower to a rack near the gun.

They said in the book that the gunners fired something like 85 shells in 1 HOUR at the tanker (and sunk it). Thats approx 1.5 shells every min. Again I will quote the book when I get home...just to make sure Im accurate. I DO KNOW that it was more than 1 shell a min though because I thought to myself "I'll be .."

Now keep in mind this is only ONE source...and Im sure CCIP and Beery have researched several. U-564 had a VERY effeicent and combat experinced crew...so those times would be HIGHER for the average Uboat crew IM sure.

Also..there was NO mention of a water tight Ammo Box right by the deck gun...only that rack device. They did say in the book that the Ammo for the deck gun was kept BELOW the deck in a storage closet by the Captains bunk. I have read the same thing as the above poster's link said...that there was a water tight container below the deck plates that had ammo ready for the DG. Maybe that wasnt on all boats? I do know...as I have said before... I would NOT want to keep HE ammo up a box near the deck plates unless it had 10" of Steel around it. Just think...one well place DC or a shell from a merchant ship...and BOOM... the Captains quarters and RADIO/Sound man room has a SKYLIGHT!

07-25-05, 09:13 AM	#8
Faamecanic Ace of the Deep Join Date: May 2005 Location: Off your Stb side with good solution Posts: 1,065 Downloads: 44 Uploads: 0	I'll chime in again here... I just finished a book called "U-Boat War Patrol" (an EXCELLENT book btw...over 400 pictures of crew and boat while on patrol) that was written about U-564. It was written after extensive research and using the U-boat commanders war patrol log. It followed the boat and crew on one complete patrol to the Caribbean and back. U-564 was a Type VIIB (or C) I think. Im at work and dont have the book with me so I will quote it later. Now for the interesing fact. The Uboat engaged a Tanker somewhere near Santo domingo (again I think because Im trying to go from memory). The U-boat engaged the tanker with the 8.8cm DECK GUN ONLY as they had no torps left. Here is how they did it. First the gunners would come up throough the conning tower and down to the deck. Other crewmembers would pass shells up from a closet near the Commanders bunk and SLIDE them down a track like assembly from the conning tower to a rack near the gun. They said in the book that the gunners fired something like 85 shells in 1 HOUR at the tanker (and sunk it). Thats approx 1.5 shells every min. Again I will quote the book when I get home...just to make sure Im accurate. I DO KNOW that it was more than 1 shell a min though because I thought to myself "I'll be .." Now keep in mind this is only ONE source...and Im sure CCIP and Beery have researched several. U-564 had a VERY effeicent and combat experinced crew...so those times would be HIGHER for the average Uboat crew IM sure. Also..there was NO mention of a water tight Ammo Box right by the deck gun...only that rack device. They did say in the book that the Ammo for the deck gun was kept BELOW the deck in a storage closet by the Captains bunk. I have read the same thing as the above poster's link said...that there was a water tight container below the deck plates that had ammo ready for the DG. Maybe that wasnt on all boats? I do know...as I have said before... I would NOT want to keep HE ammo up a box near the deck plates unless it had 10" of Steel around it. Just think...one well place DC or a shell from a merchant ship...and BOOM... the Captains quarters and RADIO/Sound man room has a SKYLIGHT!