U-boat defection

U777 · 11-18-10, 02:45 AM

With some commanders being openly anti-nazi I've wondered about possible U-boat defections to the Brits or US. If something like this were to occur with a (lets say later model U-boat with radar and other gadgets) what do you think might've happened to the crew in terms of treatment by whomever the defected to? What kind of method could be chosen such as a false distress code saying that the boat is sinking or perhaps the better alternative which is to disappear altogether without a trace?

If it were me I would simply give any crew members the option to opt out (at gunpoint for those who want to try and stop it, have things prearranged with a few officers who are on the same page and have them armed) then have them board life rafts and radio a false sinking to have a nearby German unit pick them up (if I was still close to home base). After that slip away and once in US waters surface then openly broadcast my position and intentions and IIRC a VIIC should have enough diesel fuel for a one way trip to the US. I wouldn't risk trying to prearrange something like this on shore due to gestapo threats so it would have to be done unannounced to the Allies. I guess if one were to make a grand entrance submerge in the NY harbor entrance then travel underwater and surface at a nearby dock.

If you had to defect to the British or US for any reason or wanted to how would you do it?

11-18-10, 02:45 AM	#1
U777 Medic Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 159 Downloads: 11 Uploads: 0	U-boat defection With some commanders being openly anti-nazi I've wondered about possible U-boat defections to the Brits or US. If something like this were to occur with a (lets say later model U-boat with radar and other gadgets) what do you think might've happened to the crew in terms of treatment by whomever the defected to? What kind of method could be chosen such as a false distress code saying that the boat is sinking or perhaps the better alternative which is to disappear altogether without a trace? If it were me I would simply give any crew members the option to opt out (at gunpoint for those who want to try and stop it, have things prearranged with a few officers who are on the same page and have them armed) then have them board life rafts and radio a false sinking to have a nearby German unit pick them up (if I was still close to home base). After that slip away and once in US waters surface then openly broadcast my position and intentions and IIRC a VIIC should have enough diesel fuel for a one way trip to the US. I wouldn't risk trying to prearrange something like this on shore due to gestapo threats so it would have to be done unannounced to the Allies. I guess if one were to make a grand entrance submerge in the NY harbor entrance then travel underwater and surface at a nearby dock. If you had to defect to the British or US for any reason or wanted to how would you do it?