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-511 located?
Posted by:
Hitoshi
()
Date: July 17, 2018 02:28PM
Hi all,
One of the crewmembers of Ro-500 is reportedly still alive. Shigeru Kosaka (92) served as petty officer 2nd class and gunner of the boat in 1945.
On or about 12 August 1945 the boat under training received an order to advance to Vladivostok, Russia. Kosaka left a will and asked one of his colleagues to take it to his parents with prepaid three month's salary and message, "Your son went out in high spirit."
On 15, the Emperor's announcement of the end of the war was broadcasted, but Ro-500 didn't get it due to its malfunction of radio. "We shall return a blow," all crewmembers were determined to make a war patrol. Someone painted a skull on the hull. "It meant ready to die", Kosaka says.
On 18, Ro-500 left the base at Maizuru against the order and all members in white work clothes on the deck saluted to hundreds of people on the quay.
Next day, however, they decided to went back to their base because return order was repeatedly issued. Every crewmember came back crying.
After the war, Kosaka learned the Ro-500's sinking when reunion of the crew members was held. "It was sad and sorry that the boat was sunk because we lost the war, but I am glad to know that it has been located. I want to see if the skull is still there," he says.
Regards,
Hitoshi
One of the crewmembers of Ro-500 is reportedly still alive. Shigeru Kosaka (92) served as petty officer 2nd class and gunner of the boat in 1945.
On or about 12 August 1945 the boat under training received an order to advance to Vladivostok, Russia. Kosaka left a will and asked one of his colleagues to take it to his parents with prepaid three month's salary and message, "Your son went out in high spirit."
On 15, the Emperor's announcement of the end of the war was broadcasted, but Ro-500 didn't get it due to its malfunction of radio. "We shall return a blow," all crewmembers were determined to make a war patrol. Someone painted a skull on the hull. "It meant ready to die", Kosaka says.
On 18, Ro-500 left the base at Maizuru against the order and all members in white work clothes on the deck saluted to hundreds of people on the quay.
Next day, however, they decided to went back to their base because return order was repeatedly issued. Every crewmember came back crying.
After the war, Kosaka learned the Ro-500's sinking when reunion of the crew members was held. "It was sad and sorry that the boat was sunk because we lost the war, but I am glad to know that it has been located. I want to see if the skull is still there," he says.
Regards,
Hitoshi
| Subject | Written By | Posted |
|---|---|---|
U-511 located?
|
TF | 07/09/2018 01:27AM |
|
Re: U-511 located?
|
t-geronimo | 07/09/2018 03:23PM |
|
Re: U-511 located?
|
Hitoshi | 07/17/2018 02:28PM |