Hi Juliet,

interesting question...

The upper deck of U177 and U178 had never been modified as Schnelltauchback, so it is
not this case (btw. Schnelltauchback seems to required removing two most forward containers).

These boats also were never equipped with Snorkel (this required removing three stb containers).

Looking at these photos:

[img210.imageshack.us]
(U177 - [www.subsim.com])

[img99.imageshack.us]
(U188 - [www.subsim.com])

I would say, that the most two containers are not installed.
Maybe upper deck of these boats looked liked upper deck of type IXC boat:
[img197.imageshack.us]

The plan you have provided is dated on 1943. U177 was commissioned on March 1942.

In the "REPORT ON THE INTERROGATION OF SURVIVORS FROM U-177" (http://uboatarchive.net/U-177INT.htm)
is said, that on second patrol, under the upper deck was stowed 10 torpedoes
(and they assume, that on the first patrol it was the same).

It is also said, that on the last patrol, under upper deck there were 12 torpedoes.

Between sailing to East, U177 spent in Bordeaux almost three months (end of 1943).
Maybe, these time, she was modified to carry 12 torpedoes?

Similar case with U178 - commissioned on February 1942, initially had only 10 upper deck
containers, before first cruise to East, she spent almost three months in Bordeaux
(beginning of 1943), being modified?

--
Regards
Maciek


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