Im currently reading the book "Donitz & the Wolf Packs" by Bernard Edwards. On page 158 there is a strange passage in regards to a certain U-Boat captain "Hans Dohler" of U-606.
The story thus far is that he was shadowing convoy ON 166 and became involved in a fight with the Coastguard cutter "Campbell". U-606 crashed dived after being caught by Campbell but as U-606 desended into the the depths she was slammed by depth charges and to add to the confusion U-606 conning hatch was not sealed properly and her terrified crew made frantic efforts to stop her downward plunge. U-606 reached an amazing 750ft -200ft deeper than her maxium operating depth.
Hans Dohler ordered for all compressed air to be used in blowing her tanks ...U-606 erupted from the depths surfacing out of control.... right in front of Campbell
. The cutter charged U-606 ramming and mortally wounding the U-boat. As the cutter reversed the conning tower hatch flung open and the Watch Officer & Engineer both of whom appeared to toast their misfortunes with bottles of champagne
. 38 men including Hans Dohler went down with U-606.
Hans Dohler had a reputation of being one of the most hated commanders in the U-Boat service
, this might explain the strange behaviour of the toasting between the Watch Officer & Engineer.
This passage in the book seems hard to believe:hmm:.