Visitors center at bunker "Valentin" (type XXI gen)

vois2 · 05-08-11, 03:49 PM

This story is about plans to open a visitors' center with exhibitions in 2015 at what was then the largest building project in the world, absolutely bomb proof submarine pens for Germany's Type XXI boats. Though great resources were thrown into the project, including the lives of about 1,600 slave laborers, it never actually launched even a single submarine. The plan was for the vessels to be constructed 8k upriver on the Weser in sections and then barged down to the giant pens, codenamed Valentin, where they would be welded together and equipped. The British bombed the facility when it was about 90% complete in March 1945 with bunker buster bombs, causing two massive rips in the roof and destroying its usefulness. The Allies had waited for the program to near completion before bombing it.

I didn't see where anyone had posted a link yet to the story so I thought I would throw this out there.

http://www.welt.de/kultur/history/article13358686/Valentin-Der-Bunker-fuer-Hitlers-Super-U-Boote.html

Seth8530 · 05-08-11, 06:42 PM

Cool stuff, they should certainly build a visitors center to help preserve history. Isnt their a couple sub pins that are either bombed out or sealed off that to this day contain a few subs?

Fish In The Water · 05-09-11, 01:21 AM

I'd definitely visit, but then again, I'm an easy mark for this kind of stuff.

Not sure how great the response would be from the general public. Do you think they could pay the rent?

Jimbuna · 05-09-11, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seth8530

Cool stuff, they should certainly build a visitors center to help preserve history. Isnt their a couple sub pins that are either bombed out or sealed off that to this day contain a few subs?

That's correct...a few links:

http://www.jamesgdorrian.com/U-Boatcomplex.html

http://www.adventuretwo.net/stories/enter-the-wolf-pack

http://www.uboataces.com/articles-uboat-bunker.shtml

Seth8530 · 05-09-11, 10:08 AM

I knew it! coool stuff thank!

Jimbuna · 05-09-11, 10:17 AM

Your welcome Kaleun

Herr-Berbunch · 05-09-11, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbuna

http://www.adventuretwo.net/stories/enter-the-wolf-pack

La Pallice is ripe for opening to tourism by the look of those photos!

Jimbuna · 05-09-11, 10:47 AM

IIRC part of the movie Das Boot was filmed on location there.

Penguin · 05-10-11, 05:39 AM

There is already an exhibition there which is open to the public, so you don't have to wait untill 2015 - however you have to register first if you want to attend a guided tour:

Quote:

Registration and appointments under www.denkort-bunker-valentin.de (Besuch/Anmeldung) or by telephone +49421/3612555. You can reach us by e-mail at: mail@bunkervalentin.de.

(I edited the phone number, so international visitors may be able to call)

Here is another fine article about the openening, where also an Irish sailor, who was a POW at Valentin, attended: http://www.weser-kurier.de/Artikel/B...eroeffnet.html

to the sailor, Harry Callan

And a link to a photo series of the bunker: http://www.weser-kurier.de/Bilder/Br...-Valentin.html

05-08-11, 03:49 PM	#1
vois2 Engineer Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Southwestern Ohio Posts: 213 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Visitors center at bunker "Valentin" (type XXI gen) This story is about plans to open a visitors' center with exhibitions in 2015 at what was then the largest building project in the world, absolutely bomb proof submarine pens for Germany's Type XXI boats. Though great resources were thrown into the project, including the lives of about 1,600 slave laborers, it never actually launched even a single submarine. The plan was for the vessels to be constructed 8k upriver on the Weser in sections and then barged down to the giant pens, codenamed Valentin, where they would be welded together and equipped. The British bombed the facility when it was about 90% complete in March 1945 with bunker buster bombs, causing two massive rips in the roof and destroying its usefulness. The Allies had waited for the program to near completion before bombing it. I didn't see where anyone had posted a link yet to the story so I thought I would throw this out there. http://www.welt.de/kultur/history/article13358686/Valentin-Der-Bunker-fuer-Hitlers-Super-U-Boote.html __________________ I donate to Subsim because it is one of the best communities on the Interwebs. Stick around a couple of years, and you will see. You're never far from a friend here. Sunk at location vois22 [at] gmail . com

05-08-11, 06:42 PM	#2
Seth8530 Captain Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tennessee Posts: 546 Downloads: 17 Uploads: 0	Cool stuff, they should certainly build a visitors center to help preserve history. Isnt their a couple sub pins that are either bombed out or sealed off that to this day contain a few subs? __________________

05-09-11, 10:08 AM	#5
Seth8530 Captain Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tennessee Posts: 546 Downloads: 17 Uploads: 0	I knew it! coool stuff thank! __________________

05-09-11, 10:17 AM	#6
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,450 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Your welcome Kaleun __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

05-09-11, 10:47 AM	#8
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,450 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	IIRC part of the movie Das Boot was filmed on location there. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

05-09-11, 01:21 AM	#3
Fish In The Water Prince of the Sea SUBSIM Welcome Committee Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Watching over U-253 Posts: 3,527 Downloads: 98 Uploads: 2	I'd definitely visit, but then again, I'm an easy mark for this kind of stuff. Not sure how great the response would be from the general public. Do you think they could pay the rent?