SUBSIM Radio Room Forums - View Single Post - How did you get into U-boats (everyone please post)

IronOutlaw · 09-22-06, 04:20 AM

I met the II WO from U-1105, Heinz Sonnenrein, about 10 years ago after a friend of a friend knew I was interested in German Naval history.

Heinz, and his wonderful wife Ursula, and I became good friends, and with a friend I have in the modern German Navy, I was able to help heal a few old wounds. I did begin to understand the dreadful stress that all WW II German veterans had to endure, being a Vietnam vet helped.

As I grew to know Heinz, my passion for battleships gradually slipped into second place behind U-boats. Now it has become an obsession about all submarines as I had the good fortune to take some Navy cadets on a sea ride aboard HMAS Sheean in February 3 years ago.

I have visited U-505, U-995, U-2540, and worked as a volunteer guide on board HMAS Onslow, as well as getting quite close to U-1 at the Deutsches Museum in Munich. I have spent far too much money on photocopies of U-boat KTB's whilst visiting Germany.

Back in 2003 I attended a U-boat Veteran's Association meeting in Munich and met one of the crew from U577, and the guy who wrote the book on U-boat emblems.

Like I said, it's an obession!!!

Recently I discovered a veteran from U-409 who lives near me. He was a torpedo mechanic.

09-22-06, 04:20 AM	#13
IronOutlaw Loader Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Stewarts River, NSW, Australia Posts: 82 Downloads: 17 Uploads: 0	Chance Meeting I met the II WO from U-1105, Heinz Sonnenrein, about 10 years ago after a friend of a friend knew I was interested in German Naval history. Heinz, and his wonderful wife Ursula, and I became good friends, and with a friend I have in the modern German Navy, I was able to help heal a few old wounds. I did begin to understand the dreadful stress that all WW II German veterans had to endure, being a Vietnam vet helped. As I grew to know Heinz, my passion for battleships gradually slipped into second place behind U-boats. Now it has become an obsession about all submarines as I had the good fortune to take some Navy cadets on a sea ride aboard HMAS Sheean in February 3 years ago. I have visited U-505, U-995, U-2540, and worked as a volunteer guide on board HMAS Onslow, as well as getting quite close to U-1 at the Deutsches Museum in Munich. I have spent far too much money on photocopies of U-boat KTB's whilst visiting Germany. Back in 2003 I attended a U-boat Veteran's Association meeting in Munich and met one of the crew from U577, and the guy who wrote the book on U-boat emblems. Like I said, it's an obession!!! Recently I discovered a veteran from U-409 who lives near me. He was a torpedo mechanic. __________________ Mit Kameradschaftlichen Grüßen Kapitänleutnant Wilhelm Weiß Unterbefehlshaber der 33te U-boot. Flot.