General Discussions
This is the place to discuss general issues related to the U-boat war or the war at sea in WWII.
RE: U-234
Posted by:
Terry Andrews
()
Date: January 02, 2001 03:33PM
<HTML>I have been collecting articles on this U-boat for some time and some of your questions I may be able to answer?
Geographically U-234\'s position lay at the convergence of four allied zones established for U-boat surrenders. They could have surrendered to the enemy port of their choice. Great Britain, Canada or the United States.
If they had surrendered to Canada or Great Britain, they would be taken prisoner, first in Canada, then England and eventually France and it could be many years before the men returned to their homes.
Lt. Johann Heinrich Fehler, captain of U-234 decided to turn his boat over to the americans but he had to make sure the Canadians didnt get to him first.
U-234 radioed authorities in Halifax, Nova Scotia, that it was headed northwest, toward Halifax at 8 knots in reality, U-234 was doing 16 knots on a more or less southwest course to the port of Newport News Va.
The discrepancy between fehler\'s reported and actual course was soon recognised by U.S. authorities who dispatched two destroyers to intercept U-234.
U-234 was intercepted south of Newfoundland Banks by the destroyer Sutton.
crew members of the Sutton boarded her and took charge redirecting it to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard where three other U-boats, U-805, U-873 and U-1228, had surrendered within the last few days.
News of the surrender of U-234 with its high-ranking Luftwaffe passengers turned the surrender into a major news event. Reporters swarmed over the navy Yard and went to sea in a small boat for an earlier view of the prize U-234.
But the big story and mystery that surrounds this boat is the Uranium oxide on board? this story was upon U-234\'s surrender promptly covered up.
Finding out the truth about the sub\'s cargo was complicated by looting by drunken American sailors who not only carried away souvenirs but also managed to lose documents that might have provided crucial details about the origins and intended destination of the uranium?
I could go on as I have extensive details of a lot more that went on?
but I will leave it for now to let the other wise people on this forum add more details?
best regards
Terry Andrews.</HTML>
Geographically U-234\'s position lay at the convergence of four allied zones established for U-boat surrenders. They could have surrendered to the enemy port of their choice. Great Britain, Canada or the United States.
If they had surrendered to Canada or Great Britain, they would be taken prisoner, first in Canada, then England and eventually France and it could be many years before the men returned to their homes.
Lt. Johann Heinrich Fehler, captain of U-234 decided to turn his boat over to the americans but he had to make sure the Canadians didnt get to him first.
U-234 radioed authorities in Halifax, Nova Scotia, that it was headed northwest, toward Halifax at 8 knots in reality, U-234 was doing 16 knots on a more or less southwest course to the port of Newport News Va.
The discrepancy between fehler\'s reported and actual course was soon recognised by U.S. authorities who dispatched two destroyers to intercept U-234.
U-234 was intercepted south of Newfoundland Banks by the destroyer Sutton.
crew members of the Sutton boarded her and took charge redirecting it to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard where three other U-boats, U-805, U-873 and U-1228, had surrendered within the last few days.
News of the surrender of U-234 with its high-ranking Luftwaffe passengers turned the surrender into a major news event. Reporters swarmed over the navy Yard and went to sea in a small boat for an earlier view of the prize U-234.
But the big story and mystery that surrounds this boat is the Uranium oxide on board? this story was upon U-234\'s surrender promptly covered up.
Finding out the truth about the sub\'s cargo was complicated by looting by drunken American sailors who not only carried away souvenirs but also managed to lose documents that might have provided crucial details about the origins and intended destination of the uranium?
I could go on as I have extensive details of a lot more that went on?
but I will leave it for now to let the other wise people on this forum add more details?
best regards
Terry Andrews.</HTML>
