Re: How many WW1 U-boats were sunk by aircraft?
Posted by:
Michael Lowrey
()
Date: March 14, 2015 05:22PM
Sebastian,
UC 1 sailed on the morning of July 18, 1917 from Zeebrugge to lay mines off Calais. She did not return and it is unknown whether she got her mines out. The problem with the July 24, 1917 sinking claim is that it simply comes too long after UC 1 sailed — that's what I meant by it requires an excessive patrol length. UC 1 would have been expected back in Zeebrugge by the 20th. She didn't have torpedo tubes, so she had nothing other to do than sail back to base.
The waters off the occupied Belgian ports were heavily mined, so it’s possible that UC 1 sank on a British mine. It's also possible that one of her own mines deployed immediately after being released and struck the stern of the submarine, sinking it. Accidental loss can’t be entirely ruled out. While the wrecks of a number of U-boats have been found off the Belgian coast in recent years, UC 1 is still missing.
Best wishes,
Michael
UC 1 sailed on the morning of July 18, 1917 from Zeebrugge to lay mines off Calais. She did not return and it is unknown whether she got her mines out. The problem with the July 24, 1917 sinking claim is that it simply comes too long after UC 1 sailed — that's what I meant by it requires an excessive patrol length. UC 1 would have been expected back in Zeebrugge by the 20th. She didn't have torpedo tubes, so she had nothing other to do than sail back to base.
The waters off the occupied Belgian ports were heavily mined, so it’s possible that UC 1 sank on a British mine. It's also possible that one of her own mines deployed immediately after being released and struck the stern of the submarine, sinking it. Accidental loss can’t be entirely ruled out. While the wrecks of a number of U-boats have been found off the Belgian coast in recent years, UC 1 is still missing.
Best wishes,
Michael