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-Boats, IrishRepublic, Myths, or Fact ?
Posted by:
Jim Campbell
()
Date: March 31, 2007 03:04AM
30/03/07
For most of 1944 my Canadian WWII Ship, HMCS Swansea, was home ported at Londonderry, Northern Ireland, while serving as a U-Boat striking force and away from Canada. We heard buzzes to that effect, but nothing of a substantial nature. I recall some of our group searching for subs in the bay of Sligo, but even that was no assurance that Gerry was provisioning in the Free State as we called Eire in those days.
I wouldn't be surprised if the odd U-Boat put in to an Irish port, particularly at the time when it was becoming progressively more difficult for them to cross the Bay of Biscay to their sub bases such as L'Orient, LaRochelle, etc.
We were pretty sure that U-boats were occasionally entering Spanish Ports, but there was no doubt a fair number of Axis sympathizers in the IRA and their affiliates who would have gladly given support to the enemies of England. But that's just conjecture.
If someone comes up with solid proof of such goings on, SO What? As long as a warship of a country at war managed to get in and get out within a given period they were free to do so under the provisions of the Geneva Convention, without fear of internment. I know our naval vessels put into the Azores on occasion and it was also possible for Gerry to do the same.
Yours Aye,
JRC
For most of 1944 my Canadian WWII Ship, HMCS Swansea, was home ported at Londonderry, Northern Ireland, while serving as a U-Boat striking force and away from Canada. We heard buzzes to that effect, but nothing of a substantial nature. I recall some of our group searching for subs in the bay of Sligo, but even that was no assurance that Gerry was provisioning in the Free State as we called Eire in those days.
I wouldn't be surprised if the odd U-Boat put in to an Irish port, particularly at the time when it was becoming progressively more difficult for them to cross the Bay of Biscay to their sub bases such as L'Orient, LaRochelle, etc.
We were pretty sure that U-boats were occasionally entering Spanish Ports, but there was no doubt a fair number of Axis sympathizers in the IRA and their affiliates who would have gladly given support to the enemies of England. But that's just conjecture.
If someone comes up with solid proof of such goings on, SO What? As long as a warship of a country at war managed to get in and get out within a given period they were free to do so under the provisions of the Geneva Convention, without fear of internment. I know our naval vessels put into the Azores on occasion and it was also possible for Gerry to do the same.
Yours Aye,
JRC
