My visit to the U-995

klh · 05-15-10, 08:54 AM

I realize that many of you have done this, but I have to share with fellow subsimmers who will understand. I had the opportunity on a business trip to Frankfurt to drive to Laboe and visit the U-995 last Thursday. It felt like completing a quest.

This completes my visits to all three of the remaining WWII U-boats (not counting the U2540 since it never went on patrol, but I hope to see that someday as well). I've been to the U-505 more times than I can count since I grew up in Indiana. I was fortunate to live in Liverpool for a few years, and I went on board the U-534 (before they cut her up - what a shame - there's nothing like going in through the hatch). And now, finally, the U-995. I feel like I should get some kind of merit badge or award, but I do have the coffee cups!

I arrived early, and was the first one aboard. I pretty much had her to myself for an hour and a half, with only a few other visitors quickly walking through.

I haven't sorted my photos yet, but here's a link to them...

http://public.fotki.com/khaehl/miscellaneous/u-boats/

What a day. Now I can't wait to get in some serious SH3 time (my PC won't run SH5).

MoN · 05-15-10, 09:11 AM

Quite a trip from Frankfurt to Kiel.
You could allways ask Ubi to add visiting them all as a Uplay achievement....

Planning on visiting U-995 again as soon as the weather gets better.

Schroeder · 05-15-10, 09:15 AM

Well done.

klh · 05-15-10, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoN

Quite a trip from Frankfurt to Kiel.

About six hours on the Autobahn in a BMW convertible.

The only downside was the weather was too cold to put the top down.

RConch · 05-15-10, 10:02 AM

Well done.
Been to U 505.
Hope to get U 995 one day.
You did not mention going to the U boat Memorial, hope you went and paid your respects.

Sailor Steve · 05-15-10, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klh

I realize that many of you have done this, but I have to share with fellow subsimmers who will understand.

I missed the chance when I couldn't go to the Copenhagen Subsim meet last year. I'm glad you got to.

Quote:

I've been to the U-505 more times than I can count since I grew up in Indiana.

I did that once, way back in 1962. Did you get to go through her, back when they'd let you inside?

Quote:

I feel like I should get some kind of patch or award, but I do have the coffee cups!

You have my congratulations and envy; and they are awesome cups!

klh · 05-15-10, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rconch

You did not mention going to the U boat Memorial, hope you went and paid your respects.

Yes, I went there as well. The names on the wall put into perspective the reality of what, for us, is really a game. I went away impressed and respectful.

MoN · 05-15-10, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klh

About six hours on the Autobahn in a BMW convertible.

The only downside was the weather was too cold to put the top down.

You missed the good weather by a few days, but i guess no speed limit made it quite enjoyable anyways.

sharkbit · 05-15-10, 11:28 AM

Any pics?

Jimbuna · 05-15-10, 11:42 AM

Nice one....love the mugs

I've never been to any.....yet

Hitman · 05-15-10, 03:30 PM

You lucky one!

I must rate as one of the most idiot submarine fans in the world ... back in 2001 and despite being a long time Uboat fan (And playing AOTD a lot) I went with my wife and another copule to a leisure cruise to the Norwegian Fjords that departed from Kiel. We arrived one day before, and made an excursion to Lübeck and Hamburg, but I didn't know at that time that U995 existed. And then, when our cruise ship departed, we sailed no more than a couple metres away from where U995 is resting but were on our cabin unpacking luggage and having dinner later, and never had a chance to see it from the deck. Arrrghhhh when I think what I would have felt if I had been on the deck looking around boringly and suddenly seeing a VIIC/41 there

I'm a frigging IDIOT

Brag · 05-15-10, 03:55 PM

Nice mug collection, well worth the drive

kurfürst · 05-15-10, 04:06 PM

Hello all,

there´s also a very interesting, but not so well known place to visit once you make it over to Germany and searching for U-Boat history. It´s the "Traditionsarchiv Unterseeboote", located at Cuxhaven at the North Sea shores. The "Archive" actually consists out of two buildings; the Museum which is full of collected items from two Uboat Wars (Uniforms, Medals, Models, Weapons, etc.), and the Archive which keeps records and photos from almost every German submarine which serviced during WW2 (and partly also WW1). The "Traditionsarchiv" is run by Mr. Horst Bredow, who was a Watch Officer on a German U-Boat during the WW II.
The main target is to keep the memory of the U-Boats and the men in service alive.
From my own experience I can tell You that it is fascinating to see such a massive collection of U-Boat history at one place; there isn´t anything else in the world which offers more data and information on that topic. Visitors are always welcome, it is suggested to call and make an appointment before visiting.

More about the "Traditionsarchiv Unterseeboote" can be found here:
http://www.uboat.net/special/archiv/

If you need further infos, please drop me a PM.

Beste Grüsse,
Kurfürst

Jimbuna · 05-15-10, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hitman

You lucky one!

I must rate as one of the most idiot submarine fans in the world ... back in 2001 and despite being a long time Uboat fan (And playing AOTD a lot) I went with my wife and another copule to a leisure cruise to the Norwegian Fjords that departed from Kiel. We arrived one day before, and made an excursion to Lübeck and Hamburg, but I didn't know at that time that U995 existed. And then, when our cruise ship departed, we sailed no more than a couple metres away from where U995 is resting but were on our cabin unpacking luggage and having dinner later, and never had a chance to see it from the deck. Arrrghhhh when I think what I would have felt if I had been on the deck looking around boringly and suddenly seeing a VIIC/41 there

I'm a frigging IDIOT

Just imagine, you saved yourself the embarrassment of racing up to the bridge in an almighty panic shouting and screaming at the captain of your ship to take immediate evasive action.

Well perhaps not you....but you certainly saved your wife the embarrassment

klh · 05-15-10, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharkbit

Any pics?

Of course! Just finished uploading. They're linked above now.

05-15-10, 08:54 AM	#1
klh Der Alte Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Indiana, USA Posts: 228 Downloads: 200 Uploads: 0	My visit to the U-995 I realize that many of you have done this, but I have to share with fellow subsimmers who will understand. I had the opportunity on a business trip to Frankfurt to drive to Laboe and visit the U-995 last Thursday. It felt like completing a quest. This completes my visits to all three of the remaining WWII U-boats (not counting the U2540 since it never went on patrol, but I hope to see that someday as well). I've been to the U-505 more times than I can count since I grew up in Indiana. I was fortunate to live in Liverpool for a few years, and I went on board the U-534 (before they cut her up - what a shame - there's nothing like going in through the hatch). And now, finally, the U-995. I feel like I should get some kind of merit badge or award, but I do have the coffee cups! I arrived early, and was the first one aboard. I pretty much had her to myself for an hour and a half, with only a few other visitors quickly walking through. I haven't sorted my photos yet, but here's a link to them... http://public.fotki.com/khaehl/miscellaneous/u-boats/ What a day. Now I can't wait to get in some serious SH3 time (my PC won't run SH5). Last edited by klh; 05-15-10 at 08:31 PM.

05-15-10, 09:15 AM	#3
Schroeder Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Banana Republic of Germany Posts: 6,170 Downloads: 62 Uploads: 0	Well done. __________________ Putting Germ back into Germany.

05-15-10, 10:02 AM	#5
RConch Captain Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: No. Virginia Posts: 619 Downloads: 518 Uploads: 0	Well done. Been to U 505. Hope to get U 995 one day. You did not mention going to the U boat Memorial, hope you went and paid your respects. __________________ "Noch und Noch" Prowling the Nord Atlantik with GWX 3.0.

05-15-10, 11:28 AM	#9
sharkbit The Old Man Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 1,529 Downloads: 334 Uploads: 0	Any pics? __________________ “Prejudice is blind. There will always be someone who says you aren’t welcome at the table. Stop apologizing for who you are and using all your energy trying to change their minds. Yes, you will lose friends, maybe even family. But you will gain your self-respect. You will know your worth. Once you have that, nothing can stop you.”

05-15-10, 11:42 AM	#10
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 191,106 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Nice one....love the mugs I've never been to any.....yet __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

05-15-10, 09:11 AM	#2
MoN Seaman Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 38 Downloads: 86 Uploads: 0	Quite a trip from Frankfurt to Kiel. You could allways ask Ubi to add visiting them all as a Uplay achievement.... Planning on visiting U-995 again as soon as the weather gets better.

05-15-10, 03:30 PM	#11
Hitman Pacific Aces Dev Team Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Spain Posts: 6,110 Downloads: 109 Uploads: 2	You lucky one! I must rate as one of the most idiot submarine fans in the world ... back in 2001 and despite being a long time Uboat fan (And playing AOTD a lot) I went with my wife and another copule to a leisure cruise to the Norwegian Fjords that departed from Kiel. We arrived one day before, and made an excursion to Lübeck and Hamburg, but I didn't know at that time that U995 existed. And then, when our cruise ship departed, we sailed no more than a couple metres away from where U995 is resting but were on our cabin unpacking luggage and having dinner later, and never had a chance to see it from the deck. Arrrghhhh when I think what I would have felt if I had been on the deck looking around boringly and suddenly seeing a VIIC/41 there I'm a frigging IDIOT __________________ One day I will return to sea ...

05-15-10, 03:55 PM	#12
Brag Navy Seal Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Docked on a Russian pond Posts: 7,072 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	Nice mug collection, well worth the drive __________________ Espionage, adventure, suspense, are just a click away Click here to look inside Brag's book: Amazon.com: Kingmaker: Alexey Braguine: Books Order Kingmaker here: http://www.subsim.com/store.html For Tactics visit:http://www.freewebs.com/kielman/

05-15-10, 04:06 PM	#13
kurfürst Chief Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Guetersloh, Germany Posts: 310 Downloads: 153 Uploads: 0	Hello all, there´s also a very interesting, but not so well known place to visit once you make it over to Germany and searching for U-Boat history. It´s the "Traditionsarchiv Unterseeboote", located at Cuxhaven at the North Sea shores. The "Archive" actually consists out of two buildings; the Museum which is full of collected items from two Uboat Wars (Uniforms, Medals, Models, Weapons, etc.), and the Archive which keeps records and photos from almost every German submarine which serviced during WW2 (and partly also WW1). The "Traditionsarchiv" is run by Mr. Horst Bredow, who was a Watch Officer on a German U-Boat during the WW II. The main target is to keep the memory of the U-Boats and the men in service alive. From my own experience I can tell You that it is fascinating to see such a massive collection of U-Boat history at one place; there isn´t anything else in the world which offers more data and information on that topic. Visitors are always welcome, it is suggested to call and make an appointment before visiting. More about the "Traditionsarchiv Unterseeboote" can be found here: http://www.uboat.net/special/archiv/ If you need further infos, please drop me a PM. Beste Grüsse, Kurfürst __________________