As the gap between the vessels closed, it became a surface engagement. Saling ship Zawisza Czarny and its German WWII engine, The Norwegian Operation and the Torpedo Crisis. The prosecutor was Colonel Halse of the Advocate Generals Office. Apparently, bombers forced U-852 to beach on the coastline during a naval battle. Throughout the entire Second World War, the Kriegsmarine had only one U-boat commander convicted of war crimes. German Type IXD2 submarines were considerably larger than the original Type IXs. The submarine, which was a special long-range version of the Type IX, had four bow and two stern torpedo tubes and a Focke-Achgelis Fa 330 Bachstelze cable-towed lookout gyroglider. The story of the incident really began on a summer day of March 13, 1944. This month we visit the U-85. The vessels were joint players in one of the final acts of the Battle of the North Atlantic during World War II. National marine sanctuaries protect some of the most spectacular ocean and Great Lakes resources in the United States, including shipwrecks like the USS Monitor. Nachdem man erkannt hatte, dass U 852 mit Bordmitteln nicht zu reparieren war, befahl Eck, das Boot aufzugeben und zu zerstren. Read about one of the most interesting events of the U-boat of WWII when Heinz-Wilhelm Eck of U-852 ordered the wreck of the torpedoed merchant Peleus destroyed with machine-gun fire. Throughout the entire Second World War, the Kriegsmarine had only one U-boat commander convicted of war crimes. The B-52 crashed upon takeoff after the aircraft's crew saw birds flying at roughly the same height as the airplane's wings, followed by the sensation of a series of "thuds" on the B-52's right side. In protest, his Leading Engineer questioned his commander's order but could do little to change the fate of the survivors. [11] The majority of the debris lies within a 100 metres (330ft) radius of the wreck. On April 10, while off the New Jersey coast, U-85 found its first target, Swedish freighter Christina Knudsen. To view additional dive slates click here. Eck was forced to run aground on a coral reef (.mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}932N 5059E / 9.533N 50.983E / 9.533; 50.983Coordinates: 932N 5059E / 9.533N 50.983E / 9.533; 50.983) about 20km (12mi) from shore. The depth charges killed the entire U-85 crew. Go to: Forum List Message List New Topic Search Log In Print View Re: U-852`s wreck During the journey, Eck torpedoed and sank the Greek tramp steamer, SS Peleus . This was part of a NOVA/National Geographic documentary . Early in the day on April 13, USS Roper set out from Norfolk, Virginia, heading south to Cape Hatteras for antisubmarine patrol. U-852 (wreck) 832 km; Military Base 1210 km; Camp Khanjar 1330 km; Military Drone Airbase 1688 km; Royal Air Force of Oman Base 1732 km; Al Sulayyil ballistic missile base 1785 km; Mandar al Dhibiyan 1962 km; Masirah Island 2295 km; Royal Air Force of Oman Base 2312 km; Indian Island 2320 km Hans Richard Lenz was released already after 8 months and Wolfgang Schwender condemned to 15 years was released after 6 years in prison. The much smaller stern section lies approximately 1,800 feet further south. Read about one of the most interesting events of the U-boat of WWII when Heinz-Wilhelm Eck of U-852 ordered the wreck of the torpedoed merchant Peleus destroyed with machine-gun fire. The Black Point was a 337-foot steel collier built in 1917 by the New York Shipbuilding Company in Camden, New Jersey. The following day, Greger surfaced U-85 intending on conducting repairs and resuming his patrol. This was the birth of the U-boat as an offensive weapon. U.S. Department of Commerce, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility, Mapping Rhode Islands Historic Submarines, University of Rhode Island Applied History Lab, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. [3], The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 20.8 knots (38.5km/h; 23.9mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 6.9 knots (12.8km/h; 7.9mph). The visibility and water temperature vary greatly depending upon the dynamic, shifting currents. There were only three survivors from the 35-man Peleus. A well-aimed 3-inch shell breached the pressure hull just aft of U-85s conning tower. Does anyone know, what happened to U-852`s wreck, when Allies` investigation was finished? The submarine was equipped with four torpedo tubes in the bow and two in the stern. On 30 November 1945, Eck, Hoffmann and Weisspfennig were executed by naval firing squad.[6]. Image courtesy of the U.S. History and Heritage Command. Eck, despite his mission, decided to attack the ship. After stalking her until nightfall, the steamer was sunk with two torpedoes. The U-852 was itself sunk on May 3 1944 by British aircraft off the coast of Somalia. HMT Bedfordshire is one vessel included in the proposal. Rouse, Parke, Jr., "Under the Cloak of Night", U.S. National Register of Historic Places, "2008 Battle of the Atlantic Survey Methodology", "Home Found for "Enigmatic" WW II U-boat Relic", U-85 Memorial Page with Crew members' birth dates and places, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=German_submarine_U-85_(1941)&oldid=1119483562, World War II Shipwrecks along the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico MPS, 2,8003,200PS (2,1002,400kW; 2,8003,200bhp) (diesels), 90nmi (170km; 100mi) at 4 knots (7.4km/h; 4.6mph) submerged, Schlagetot (20 October 1 November 1941), This page was last edited on 1 November 2022, at 20:56. They both received a reduced sentence of prison terms. It is unclear whether the German U-boat commander received Donitzs order to cease attacks or whether he willfully ignored it. U-352 sank while the majority of the crew was able to escape. This page covers the events related to U-boats since 1945, including boats taken over by the allies after the war and their eventual fate. As the German sailors attempted to exit the conning tower to man their guns, they came under heavy fire from Ropers crew. However, to do this successfully the submarine would have to maintain a high-level of secrecy throughout her journey from Europe. The depth charge damage was so great that he had no other alternative but to abort the mission and return to port in St. Nazaire, France. Die Sprengung war jedoch nur zum Teil erfolgreich. This triggered a hunt for the U-boat, but in a surprising twist, Frmsdorf did not flee the scene. (Photo: NOAA), This post is by a guest blogger. The submarine was powered by two MAN M 6 V 40/46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of 2,800 to 3,200 metric horsepower (2,060 to 2,350kW; 2,760 to 3,160shp) for use while surfaced, two BBC GG UB 720/8 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750 metric horsepower (550kW; 740shp) for use while submerged. Another man, the sub's machinist mate, had his leg severed and died later that night aboard Icarus. The prosecutor was Colonel Halse of the Advocate Generals Office.The presiding judge was Major A. Melford Stevenson. [5] The British also discovered the Fa 330 Bachstelze rotor kite, a towed one-man aerial observation platform.[1]. On May 9, U-352 began the engagement that would end in its demise. The following day, Rathke came across Freden again. This year, Scuba Diver Life and NOAA are partnering to profile 12 different ships in the Graveyard of the Atlantic. The U-853 participated in three patrols during the war. Roper then quickly left for fear of another boat in the area, but returned after daylight and recovered the bodies of 29 sailors. Heinz Eck had survivors and wreckage from the Greek steamer Peleus machine-gunned with the intention of erasing all traces of the sinking. Roper returned after daylight and recovered the bodies of 29 sailors. This year, Scuba Diver Life and NOAA are partnering to profile 12 different ships in the Graveyard of the Atlantic. However, the British tribunal rejected his plea of operational necessity and sentenced him to death. Roper raked U-85 with machine gun fire and scored a hit with a 3"/50 caliber gun. Contact Us The defense presented that the LI had objected to the actions of his CO and the seaman was simply following orders. Thank you for your support! Kptlt. Some of the bodies were wearing civilian clothes, carrying wallets with United States currency and identification cards. Standing atop the bridge of the U-boat, the crew of the U-852 meticulously hunted and machine gunned the survivors. In fact, he was still in Rhode Island Sound when the U.S. frigate Moberly (PF-63) and destroyer escorts Amick (DE168) and Atherton (DE-168) commenced the hunt for the submarine 90 minutes after the Black Point sank. [4] After being left unable to dive due to damage from aerial depth charges, she headed for the coast of Somalia. Child soldier in the Soviet Union, 1944.. U-85 embarked on its third war patrol on January 8, 1942. Significance: U-85 is significant to American military history, maritime history and historic archaeology as it was the first German U-boat sunk by United States naval forces off the American East Coast during World War II's Battle of the Atlantic. This month well visit the Ashkhabad. One survivor managed to escape and was eventually rescued by allied ships. She had two shafts and two 1.85m (6ft) propellers. Rathke spotted Icarus, a 165-foot USCG Cutter, on antisubmarine patrol off Cape Lookout. As Roper began to close in on U-85, the crew suspected that they were pursuing a submarine. She measured 251 feet, 10 inches in length; 22 feet, 6 inches in the beam; and drew 15 feet, 4 inches. Download image (jpg, 7.8 MB). Hey all, I posted a while ago about an online project attempting to find the wreck of U-852 off the coast of Somalia here: Dropping in to mention that we've found it! (All photos: NOAA), Schools of fish swarm U-85s conning tower with its attack periscope housing still intact. Download image (jpg, 377 KB). The survivors were taken to Charleston, South Carolina, as prisoners of war. Their suspicions were confirmed when the crew witnessed the track of a torpedo narrowly missing them. The wreck lies on its starboard side with approximately an approximately 80-degree list. ): U-860 (+1944) propulsion: diesel and batteries date built: This year, Scuba Diver Life and NOAA are partnering to profile 12 different ships in the Graveyard of the Atlantic. The site rests in approximately 90 feet of water about 14 miles east of Oregon Inlet. Eck decided that this would indicate to any Allied shipping patrol aircraft there was a U-boat in the area, so he ordered his junior officers to destroy the wreckage by firing into it using hand grenades and automatic weapons. U-852 was enroute to the Indian Ocean to join the Monsoon wolf pack operating there. Wreck Site Of the U-boats off North Carolina's coast, U- 352 had the least eventful operational career. She was laid down at the Flender Werke in Lbeck on 18 December 1939 as yard number 281. Firing two torpedoes, U-85 sank the Swedish freighter Christina Knudsen, and then proceeded directly for Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. The awesome memorial is a must see if you are in the Kiel area (perhaps visiting the U-995). This very interesting page explains the controversial order of 1 May, 1943 to stay up and fight the aircraft attacking the U-boats. A set of pages designed to provide a good overview on the monumental battle that took place on the high seas during World War One. Gross Tonnage: 753/857 tons (surfaced/submerged) Cargo: N/A, Built: 1939, Flender Werke AG, Lbeck, Schlewsig-Holstein, Germany, Hull Number: 281 Port of Registry: Germany, Sunk By: USS Roper Survivors: 0 of 46 (46 dead), Data Collected on Site: Still and video photography; photomosaics; site plan; high resolution multibeam; photogrammetric model; listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Eight of the twelve boats were redirected to the Faroes Islands in Iceland and Scotland. Posted by: dozmataz_buckshank Date: October 14, 2016 05:31PM. The German commander said he carried out the attack because there might have been communications equipment on the survivors rafts and the Laconia Order forbade him from helping the crews of sunk enemy ships. CMS Version: 4.6.3. class IX D 2 class submarine (ger. After the war, she was returned to her original owner, only to be sold two years later to the Hawaiian Steamship Company of New York and renamed the Nebraskan. To view other Outer Banks Maritime Heritage Trail videos, click here. 14 Mar 1944. This year, Scuba Diver Life and NOAA are partnering to profile 12 different ships in the Graveyard of the Atlantic. Believing that U-boats operated in packs, as they did in other regions, Roper did not want to take the chance of being sunk by an additional U-boat. Greger's attack resulted in a devastating counterattack as the Canadian escorts HMCS Skeena and HMCS Alberni delivered a very accurate depth charge assault that Greger narrowly escaped. At the beginning of May 1945, the Black Point departed Newport News, Virginia, for Weymouth, Massachusetts, with her cargo holds full of coal. Although, U-352 encountered no serious damage on its first patrol, no ships were sunk either. At 1800 on March 21, 1942, with a brass band on the pier, with a blooded crew, a confident captain and a well-tried ship, U-85 set out once more for Amerika. Two other officers of U-852, the 2WO and the doctor were also indicted and shot. Report an Error, Site Index The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 230 metres (750ft). Wolfgang Schwender, an enlisted engineer, who said he only shot at debris not survivors - until being replaced by the reluctant Lenz - received 15 years (but was paroled six years later, in 1951). Eck and two of his crew were tried and executed after the . This commission helps us to maintain and improve the forum for the benefit of our users. Rathke moved into position twice, each time firing a torpedo from the bow, but each missed. On June 15 Eck took command of the new Type IXD-852 and put the boat through months of training before leaving from Kiel for the Indian Ocean. In an effort to honor the service and sacrifice of those lost during the Battle of the Atlantic, NOAA in 2019 will release a draft proposal to expand the boundaries of Monitor National Marine Sanctuary to include a nationally significant collection of shipwrecks that currently have little or no legal protection. Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in May 1944, "Heinz-Wilhelm Eck: Siegerjustiz and the Peleus Affair", "Forgotten Campaign: The Dutch East Indies Campaign 19411942", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=German_submarine_U-852&oldid=1147548307, World War II shipwrecks in the Indian Ocean, Military history of British Somaliland during World War II, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, 20.8 knots (38.5km/h; 23.9mph) surfaced, 57nmi (106km; 66mi) at 4 knots (7.4km/h; 4.6mph) submerged, This page was last edited on 31 March 2023, at 17:36. SAS imagery of the Black Point showing that the hull, including the bow, of the ship is largely intact and rests upside down on the seafloor. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Shown here is the wreck of the Type IXD 2 submarine U-852 off the coast of British Somaliland (Somalia) in May 1944 after being scuttled by her skipper Kapitanleutnant Heinz Eck. 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