Inside The Control Room During A DC Attack

Subnuts · 09-22-10, 04:37 PM

Okay, this is sorta OT, but whatever...

When I bought Lothar-Gunther Buchheim's book U-Boat War, this was one of the photographs that immediately jumped out at me. It captures the moment a depth charge explodes near U-96, momentarily pushing the boat downwards.

It really is, in my opinion, one of the most stunning pieces of 20th century combat photography, but it seems to have been lost to history, and only known to a few U-boat buffs. Of all the thousands of U-boat photographs out there, I've never seen one that so vividly captures a moment between life and possible death. It's almost like this could be the last known photograph of the crew of U-96, and the boat sunk immediately afterwords, and they found the wreck and retrieved some water-damaged film from Buchheim's camera. Not really plausible, but this photo still creeps me out!

Jimbuna · 09-22-10, 04:42 PM

I agree....one of the most interesting photos I've seen, the guy was probably lifted off his feet and a foot or so in the air as he pressed the button

stoneys-nutz · 09-23-10, 04:30 AM

Truly terrifiying moments for the crew.
Although they were at the time the "enemy", you cant but admire their courage, brave men all.

sharkbit · 09-23-10, 07:25 AM

There's another photo in that same sequence when the captain is standing with his hands in his pockets. Looked like a pretty calming action. In fact, Bucheim says that it was the captain's non-verbal way of letting the crew know that the worst was over. That was one cool cucumber.

Those are some great pictures. I'd bet no still photos exist of an actual DC attack other than Bucheim's(or movie footage, for that matter).

Woohoo!! 1000th post!

Weiss Pinguin · 09-23-10, 09:05 AM

I bet the control room get real crowded during a DC attack

K-61 · 09-23-10, 12:16 PM

I've got that photo in one of my Time-Life books. There's a series of Bucheim's photos in there, all fantastic snapshots of U-boat life.

pickinthebanjo · 09-23-10, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weiss Pinguin

I bet the control room get real crowded during a DC attack

I don't think I would want to be in the Control room during an attack, to much to get slammed into and not enough space

09-22-10, 04:37 PM	#1
Subnuts The Old Man Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,658 Downloads: 14 Uploads: 0	Inside The Control Room During A DC Attack Okay, this is sorta OT, but whatever... When I bought Lothar-Gunther Buchheim's book U-Boat War, this was one of the photographs that immediately jumped out at me. It captures the moment a depth charge explodes near U-96, momentarily pushing the boat downwards. It really is, in my opinion, one of the most stunning pieces of 20th century combat photography, but it seems to have been lost to history, and only known to a few U-boat buffs. Of all the thousands of U-boat photographs out there, I've never seen one that so vividly captures a moment between life and possible death. It's almost like this could be the last known photograph of the crew of U-96, and the boat sunk immediately afterwords, and they found the wreck and retrieved some water-damaged film from Buchheim's camera. Not really plausible, but this photo still creeps me out! __________________ My Amazon.com reviews

09-22-10, 04:42 PM	#2
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,473 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	I agree....one of the most interesting photos I've seen, the guy was probably lifted off his feet and a foot or so in the air as he pressed the button __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

09-23-10, 07:25 AM	#4
sharkbit The Old Man Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 1,529 Downloads: 334 Uploads: 0	There's another photo in that same sequence when the captain is standing with his hands in his pockets. Looked like a pretty calming action. In fact, Bucheim says that it was the captain's non-verbal way of letting the crew know that the worst was over. That was one cool cucumber. Those are some great pictures. I'd bet no still photos exist of an actual DC attack other than Bucheim's(or movie footage, for that matter). Woohoo!! 1000th post! __________________ “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.”

09-23-10, 09:05 AM	#5
Weiss Pinguin Ocean Warrior Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Auburn, Alabama Posts: 3,333 Downloads: 101 Uploads: 0	I bet the control room get real crowded during a DC attack __________________

09-23-10, 12:16 PM	#6
K-61 Grey Wolf Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Ontario Posts: 795 Downloads: 39 Uploads: 0	I've got that photo in one of my Time-Life books. There's a series of Bucheim's photos in there, all fantastic snapshots of U-boat life. __________________

09-23-10, 04:30 AM	#3
stoneys-nutz A-ganger Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 79 Downloads: 456 Uploads: 0	Truly terrifiying moments for the crew. Although they were at the time the "enemy", you cant but admire their courage, brave men all.