General Discussions
This is the place to discuss general issues related to the U-boat war or the war at sea in WWII.
Re: Deadlight
Posted by:
Cape Crusader
()
Date: December 02, 2013 12:26PM
U-483 and U-1301 were towed out on 14th December, by HM Tug Enchanter and HM Tug Bustler respectively. The two U-boats were sunk, by gunfire, on 16th December, at 5610N x 1005W, which was the scuttling datum point prescribed in the Deadlight orders.
It seems to me, therefore, that neither U-boat foundered on the way to destruction and that each was destroyed at the specified location. Gunfire was employed as previous practice had shown that the preferred method of electrically-fired or pre-set explosive charges proved unworkable or dangerous in the open Atlantic, in December.
Generally Sharpe has reliable data, Paterson seems less specific (he also refers to HM TUG Buster and confuses Loch Ryan with Lough Foyle). "Northwest of Tory Island" and "Northwest of Bloody Foreland" have little geographical meaning in this context. But the prime source documentation is the report on the destructions prepared by the senior Naval Officers overseeing Operation Deadlight.
It seems to me, therefore, that neither U-boat foundered on the way to destruction and that each was destroyed at the specified location. Gunfire was employed as previous practice had shown that the preferred method of electrically-fired or pre-set explosive charges proved unworkable or dangerous in the open Atlantic, in December.
Generally Sharpe has reliable data, Paterson seems less specific (he also refers to HM TUG Buster and confuses Loch Ryan with Lough Foyle). "Northwest of Tory Island" and "Northwest of Bloody Foreland" have little geographical meaning in this context. But the prime source documentation is the report on the destructions prepared by the senior Naval Officers overseeing Operation Deadlight.
Subject | Written By | Posted |
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Deadlight | jcrt | 11/20/2013 04:34PM |
Re: Deadlight | Cape Crusader | 11/20/2013 07:15PM |
Re: Deadlight | jcrt | 11/21/2013 12:53PM |
Re: Deadlight | Cape Crusader | 11/22/2013 02:54PM |
Re: Deadlight | jcrt | 11/22/2013 07:45PM |
Re: Deadlight | jcrt | 12/06/2014 08:50PM |
Re: Deadlight | philflying | 07/23/2018 07:30PM |
Re: Deadlight | jcrt | 11/29/2013 01:31PM |
Re: Deadlight | Cape Crusader | 12/01/2013 12:01PM |
Re: Deadlight | jcrt | 12/01/2013 07:12PM |
Re: Deadlight | Cape Crusader | 12/02/2013 12:26PM |
Re: Deadlight | jcrt | 12/02/2013 06:14PM |
Re: Deadlight | jcrt | 11/26/2014 03:00PM |
Re: Deadlight | jcrt | 12/05/2013 01:30PM |
Re: Deadlight | Cape Crusader | 11/20/2013 07:22PM |
Re: Deadlight | mark connolly | 11/28/2013 06:20AM |
Re: Deadlight | jcrt | 11/28/2013 01:37PM |