General Discussions
This is the place to discuss general issues related to the U-boat war or the war at sea in WWII.
Re: Why was L'Orient not bombed during construction?
Posted by:
Freddy
()
Date: July 30, 2013 07:59AM
Hello,
In 1941, the Germans decided to establish one of their U-boat headquarters in Lorient (NOT L'Orient) and to build there the largest World War II U-boat base which would house the 2nd and the 10th U-boat flotillas for the bulk of the Battle of the Atlantic. But this submarine base quickly became targets of constant bombing from Allied air forces. The pens KEROMAN 1 + 2 were ready on 16 October 1941, due to the bombings, KEROMAN III was only achieved in 1943.
Karl Dönitz, then supreme commander of the U-boat Arm, moved his staff in the Kernevel villa, just across the water, in Larmor-Plage.
Also see the interesting (but only in French !) site : [www.arsenaux.fr]
Hope this helps.
Bert regards.
Freddy.
In 1941, the Germans decided to establish one of their U-boat headquarters in Lorient (NOT L'Orient) and to build there the largest World War II U-boat base which would house the 2nd and the 10th U-boat flotillas for the bulk of the Battle of the Atlantic. But this submarine base quickly became targets of constant bombing from Allied air forces. The pens KEROMAN 1 + 2 were ready on 16 October 1941, due to the bombings, KEROMAN III was only achieved in 1943.
Karl Dönitz, then supreme commander of the U-boat Arm, moved his staff in the Kernevel villa, just across the water, in Larmor-Plage.
Also see the interesting (but only in French !) site : [www.arsenaux.fr]
Hope this helps.
Bert regards.
Freddy.