"Teddy Suhren; Ace of Aces: Memoirs of a U-Boat Rebel"

John Pancoast · 04-09-20, 12:28 PM

Though I'm not a fan of memoirs for various reasons, this is a good read.

Some interesting parts:

- "We never attacked underwater by night; the attack periscope simply didn't gather enough light." (No mention of the observation scope being used for attacking at all)

- "It is vital to keep the boat absolutely still at the moment of making observations; it mustn't move at all, otherwise the angle will vary."

derstosstrupp · 04-09-20, 03:50 PM

Indeed a rebel he was. I read in the book “U-boat War Patrol: Hidden Photographic Diary of U-564” that when he was pulling up to the dock after his 70-day patrol, he shouted over to a friend of his ashore asking whether the Nazis were still at the helm, and when told yes, he loudly ordered both engines full astern.

He’s very lucky he was one of Dönitz’s favorites. Had a very sad post-war story though.

derstosstrupp · 04-09-20, 04:02 PM

I noticed a translation error in the second “observations” one. The original German has “im Augenblick des Abdrückens” - “At the moment of firing”. The “angle “mentioned refers to the lead angle (Vorhaltewinkel), which makes more sense now.

John Pancoast · 04-09-20, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derstosstrupp

I noticed a translation error in the second “observations” one. The original German has “im Augenblick des Abdrückens” - “At the moment of firing”. The “angle “mentioned refers to the lead angle (Vorhaltewinkel), which makes more sense now.

Thanks for the info., I was wondering about that statement myself.

KaleuBauman · 04-12-20, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derstosstrupp

Indeed a rebel he was. I read in the book “U-boat War Patrol: Hidden Photographic Diary of U-564” that when he was pulling up to the dock after his 70-day patrol, he shouted over to a friend of his ashore asking whether the Nazis were still at the helm, and when told yes, he loudly ordered both engines full astern.

He’s very lucky he was one of Dönitz’s favorites. Had a very sad post-war story though.

Just finished reading that this afternoon. I got a kick out of that bit.

04-09-20, 12:28 PM	#1
John Pancoast Ocean Warrior Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Minnysoda Posts: 3,211 Downloads: 501 Uploads: 4	"Teddy Suhren; Ace of Aces: Memoirs of a U-Boat Rebel" Though I'm not a fan of memoirs for various reasons, this is a good read. Some interesting parts: - "We never attacked underwater by night; the attack periscope simply didn't gather enough light." (No mention of the observation scope being used for attacking at all) - "It is vital to keep the boat absolutely still at the moment of making observations; it mustn't move at all, otherwise the angle will vary." __________________ "Realistic" is not always GAME-GOOD." - Wave Skipper

04-09-20, 03:50 PM	#2
derstosstrupp Grey Wolf Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 914 Downloads: 490 Uploads: 0	Indeed a rebel he was. I read in the book “U-boat War Patrol: Hidden Photographic Diary of U-564” that when he was pulling up to the dock after his 70-day patrol, he shouted over to a friend of his ashore asking whether the Nazis were still at the helm, and when told yes, he loudly ordered both engines full astern. He’s very lucky he was one of Dönitz’s favorites. Had a very sad post-war story though. __________________ Ask me anything about the Type VII or IX! One-Stop Targeting Shop: https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...WwBt-1vjW28JbO My YT Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIJ...9FXbD3S2kgwdPQ

04-09-20, 04:02 PM	#3
derstosstrupp Grey Wolf Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 914 Downloads: 490 Uploads: 0	I noticed a translation error in the second “observations” one. The original German has “im Augenblick des Abdrückens” - “At the moment of firing”. The “angle “mentioned refers to the lead angle (Vorhaltewinkel), which makes more sense now. __________________ Ask me anything about the Type VII or IX! One-Stop Targeting Shop: https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...WwBt-1vjW28JbO My YT Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIJ...9FXbD3S2kgwdPQ