U-boat rescues and rescue buoys

U777 · 11-19-10, 06:37 PM

Were these buoys successful for the Luftwaffe and how often did U-boats manage to pluck their flying allies from the sea?

CCIP · 11-19-10, 07:23 PM

Nah, they were really never practical, and U-boats had very little involvement in air rescue, mostly because that took place in areas where U-boats were very unlikely to be (e.g. the channel). This was only compounded by the fact that the Luftwaffe lacked true long-ranged aircraft, and Goering refused to properly cooperate with the Kriegsmarine and more or less intentionally kept his aircraft from maritime operations.

Freiwillige · 11-19-10, 09:12 PM

I know that they were used early in the battle of Britain but it was mostly Luftwaffe sea rescue craft that would land and pick them up.

Later in the battle the R.A.F. would strafe them and sink them so they didn't last too long.

11-20-10, 10:28 AM

desirableroasted · 11-20-10, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by U777

Were these buoys successful for the Luftwaffe and how often did U-boats manage to pluck their flying allies from the sea?

Can you imagine being inside that thing, bobbing in the channel with 2 or 3 others? You'd be ankle deep in vomit.

Jimbuna · 11-20-10, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by privateer

A massive failure

U777 · 11-20-10, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desirableroasted

Can you imagine being inside that thing, bobbing in the channel with 2 or 3 others? You'd be ankle deep in vomit.

Better than bobbing in the ocean with only your flight suit and life jacket protecting you from the elements and keeping you afloat.

desirableroasted · 11-20-10, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by U777

Better than bobbing in the ocean with only your flight suit and life jacket protecting you from the elements and keeping you afloat.

(rolls eyes). Obviously. Was just noting that the rig seems designed to cause motion sickness.

FIREWALL · 11-20-10, 08:30 PM

What were the odds of even landing parachute wise near one of those things ?

Jack Cutter · 11-20-10, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desirableroasted

Can you imagine being inside that thing, bobbing in the channel with 2 or 3 others? You'd be ankle deep in vomit.

EWW! God, that's a horrible thought...

Gargamel · 11-20-10, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desirableroasted

Can you imagine being inside that thing, bobbing in the channel with 2 or 3 others? You'd be ankle deep in vomit.

Meh, been ankle deep in worse, multiple times.

Freiwillige · 11-21-10, 04:37 AM

Im sure they had a door to puke out of, If you puked inside your just lazy! And many of Messerschmitt's ran out of fuel on their return flight so ditching next to one wouldn't be that far fetched

elanaiba · 11-21-10, 05:39 AM

As far as I read, many times the British would also come to "collect" the occupants.

kk20 · 11-22-10, 07:56 AM

better than being dead though. In latter parts of the war preferable to going home for some.

Jimbuna · 11-22-10, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kk20

better than being dead though. In latter parts of the war preferable to going home for some.

Certainly preferable to being sent to the eastern front as a result of your failings on the western front.

11-19-10, 06:37 PM	#1
U777 Medic Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 159 Downloads: 11 Uploads: 0	U-boat rescues and rescue buoys Were these buoys successful for the Luftwaffe and how often did U-boats manage to pluck their flying allies from the sea?

11-19-10, 07:23 PM	#2
CCIP Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Waterloo, Canada Posts: 8,700 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 2	Nah, they were really never practical, and U-boats had very little involvement in air rescue, mostly because that took place in areas where U-boats were very unlikely to be (e.g. the channel). This was only compounded by the fact that the Luftwaffe lacked true long-ranged aircraft, and Goering refused to properly cooperate with the Kriegsmarine and more or less intentionally kept his aircraft from maritime operations. __________________ There are only forty people in the world and five of them are hamburgers. -Don Van Vliet (aka Captain Beefheart)

11-20-10, 08:30 PM	#9
FIREWALL Eternal Patrol Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CATALINA IS. SO . CAL USA Posts: 10,108 Downloads: 511 Uploads: 0	What were the odds of even landing parachute wise near one of those things ? __________________ RIP FIREWALL I Play GWX. Silent Hunter Who ???

11-21-10, 05:39 AM	#13
elanaiba Ace of the Deep Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bucharest, Romania Posts: 1,058 Downloads: 3 Uploads: 3	As far as I read, many times the British would also come to "collect" the occupants. __________________ With strength I burn...

11-19-10, 09:12 PM	#3
Freiwillige The Old Man Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Phx. Az Posts: 1,458 Downloads: 24 Uploads: 0	I know that they were used early in the battle of Britain but it was mostly Luftwaffe sea rescue craft that would land and pick them up. Later in the battle the R.A.F. would strafe them and sink them so they didn't last too long.

11-20-10, 10:28 AM	#4
Madox58 Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:

11-21-10, 04:37 AM	#12
Freiwillige The Old Man Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Phx. Az Posts: 1,458 Downloads: 24 Uploads: 0	Im sure they had a door to puke out of, If you puked inside your just lazy! And many of Messerschmitt's ran out of fuel on their return flight so ditching next to one wouldn't be that far fetched

11-22-10, 07:56 AM	#14
kk20 Watch Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 23 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	better than being dead though. In latter parts of the war preferable to going home for some.