A question about the end (both real-life and in-game)

Incubus · 10-11-06, 10:56 PM

One thing that surprised me about the message Doenitz gave to his U-boat fleets was how all of them obeyed. It would have been interesting if some die-hard Kaleun went rogue after Germany's surrender, catching ships by surprise or possibly escaping to Japan. If fanatical enough, it seems plausible they might want to go down in a blaze of glory (considering 75% of them didn't survive in the first place

).

As far as I'm aware, this didn't happen. But is this possible if you are on patrol in game when Germany surrenders? It would be pretty fun to have one last patrol to wreck total havoc on the allies

kylania · 10-11-06, 11:35 PM

U-boot commanders were dedicated naval officers. They sunk ships because it was their duty, not because they enjoyed it. That's also why they obeyed the order, because it was an order.

I believe only 8 captains surrenderd right away? The rest took a few days?

Steeltrap · 10-12-06, 12:06 AM

Worth noting that Doenitz was held in remarkably high esteem by the men of the U-boat service. Disobeying his order probably never even occurred to commanders as it might well have been regarded as dishonourable, disloyal and disrespectful.

I remember reading that the Brits stated that Doenitz was spoken of very highly by captured crews, that he showed and received a very high level of personal loyalty. Even Churchill, I think, commented that it was remarkable that the U-boat men never lost their spirits despite the terrible casualties they took.

I imagine more than one military academy in the world has looked into the aspects of the U-boat command that was able to maintain effectiveness and morale despite things being so heavily stacked against it (and if they haven't they should!).

Cremer in U-333 points out that he told his crew to scuttle the XXI boat technically under his command at war's end, as did many other commanders. When Doenitz heard of the defiance he looked a bit shocked then a ghost of a smile passed his lips - Cremer was there in person as commander of Doenitz's guard. I guess that sort of "we're in this together" attitude is one thing which kept the U-boat community so tight, from Doenitz all the way down.

Finnbat · 10-12-06, 01:28 AM

Think you are in a small boat and the last days you only received news of sunken comrades. When the news about surrender comes arent you relieved and happy you still live ?
I would surrender to first allied ship I see.

Captain Nemo · 10-12-06, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finnbat

Think you are in a small boat and the last days you only received news of sunken comrades. When the news about surrender comes arent you relieved and happy you still live ?
I would surrender to first allied ship I see.

In the book Iron Coffins by Herbert Werner, he was quite apprehensive about Germany's surrender rather than jubilant. He was worried about the treatment he would receive by the Allied forces, which turned out in his case not to be too good. During his captivity he was coerced into joining the French Foreign Legion but escaped from a POW camp before being sent away. Prior to capture, he planned to take his U-boat and crew to Argentina but his plans were scuppered.

Nemo

soma · 10-12-06, 10:11 AM

I can vagualy remember reading about Kaleuns who went to Argentinia when the war ended, because they we're 'in the neighborhood'... is this true?

10-11-06, 10:56 PM	#1
Incubus Planesman Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 195 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	A question about the end (both real-life and in-game) One thing that surprised me about the message Doenitz gave to his U-boat fleets was how all of them obeyed. It would have been interesting if some die-hard Kaleun went rogue after Germany's surrender, catching ships by surprise or possibly escaping to Japan. If fanatical enough, it seems plausible they might want to go down in a blaze of glory (considering 75% of them didn't survive in the first place ). As far as I'm aware, this didn't happen. But is this possible if you are on patrol in game when Germany surrenders? It would be pretty fun to have one last patrol to wreck total havoc on the allies

10-11-06, 11:35 PM	#2
kylania Silent Hunter Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 3,528 Downloads: 118 Uploads: 0	U-boot commanders were dedicated naval officers. They sunk ships because it was their duty, not because they enjoyed it. That's also why they obeyed the order, because it was an order. I believe only 8 captains surrenderd right away? The rest took a few days? __________________

10-12-06, 01:28 AM	#4
Finnbat A-ganger Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Finland Posts: 78 Downloads: 58 Uploads: 0	Think you are in a small boat and the last days you only received news of sunken comrades. When the news about surrender comes arent you relieved and happy you still live ? I would surrender to first allied ship I see. __________________

10-12-06, 12:06 AM	#3
Steeltrap Grey Wolf Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 818 Downloads: 3 Uploads: 0	Worth noting that Doenitz was held in remarkably high esteem by the men of the U-boat service. Disobeying his order probably never even occurred to commanders as it might well have been regarded as dishonourable, disloyal and disrespectful. I remember reading that the Brits stated that Doenitz was spoken of very highly by captured crews, that he showed and received a very high level of personal loyalty. Even Churchill, I think, commented that it was remarkable that the U-boat men never lost their spirits despite the terrible casualties they took. I imagine more than one military academy in the world has looked into the aspects of the U-boat command that was able to maintain effectiveness and morale despite things being so heavily stacked against it (and if they haven't they should!). Cremer in U-333 points out that he told his crew to scuttle the XXI boat technically under his command at war's end, as did many other commanders. When Doenitz heard of the defiance he looked a bit shocked then a ghost of a smile passed his lips - Cremer was there in person as commander of Doenitz's guard. I guess that sort of "we're in this together" attitude is one thing which kept the U-boat community so tight, from Doenitz all the way down.

10-12-06, 10:11 AM	#6
soma A-ganger Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: breda, the netherlands Posts: 77 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I can vagualy remember reading about Kaleuns who went to Argentinia when the war ended, because they we're 'in the neighborhood'... is this true?