Hello, I write here with the hope that someone who has a copy of the book "Der U-Bootbau auf deutschen Werften 1935 - 1945" by Busch/Roll can help me. I have a question concerning the content of that book. I would like to know whether the book contains text descriptions of the various shipyards, with some narrative and historical analysis, or if it just reports dates of constructi
Forum: General Discussions

A new research article entitled "One Torpedo, One Ship. An appraisal of Otto Kretschmer's U-boat tactics, 1939-1941" was recently published in The Mariner's Mirror. The article is available at: (subscription required). From the Abstract: Otto Kretschmer was the most successful U-boat commander of the Second World War. While his wartime actions have been narrated several
Forum: General Discussions

Hello! the book "Otto Kretschmer-Der Erlfogreichste U-Boot Kommandant des Zweiten Weltkrieges" by Bodo Herzog contains a picture of Joseph (Joe) Byrne with a detailed caption. Relevant info: Joe Byrne, born 23.6.1905 in Arklow/Wicklow (Ireland). Lived in South Shields (Tyne and Wear); married, two daughters and a son. During WWII survived two torpedo attacks (one was from U 99
Forum: General Discussions

Hi Paul, not sure about that name, maybe a misspelling?....I have read about Admiral Stobwasser, here you can find a picture and some details.. regards Michele
Forum: General Discussions

I am looking for biographic data about former U-99 crewmembers to complete a list of that particular U-Boat for research purpose. Birth-dates, death-dates, birth-places, and ranks, are information very useful for my historical research. All available online sources (such as historische-marinearchiv.de) have already been consulted. Anyone who has been in contact with U-99 veterans (relative
Forum: General Discussions

Hi everyone! I'm searching for a crewlist of U 404 during her last voyage, but I can't find it anywhere. Did anyone possess a photo of the Kiel memorial plaque regarding this sub? This would be a very useful source of information for my research. Thank you very much for your help. Regards Bezukhov
Forum: General Discussions

Hi everyone! I am searching for a crewlist of U 666 during her last voyage, but I can't find it anywhere. Is there anyone that photographed the Kiel memorial plaque regarding this U-Boat? this would be the best source for my research. Thank you for your help. Regards bezukhov
Forum: General Discussions

Hello mr Craig, you picture is quite interesting. You posted it there because it is supposed that one of the men on the bridge is von Forstner? Is there any date/comment/name on the back of the photo, or any hint that can help to determine the time in which this photo was taken? From an analysis of the details in this picture I can be sure it was taken before the end of October 1940, that is
Forum: General Discussions

Hi Darren here is my translation (I have some experience in U-Boat KTBs but I still have a lot to learn): After 43 seconds, hit astern the funnel. Middle-height explosion(1). Steamer list to port(2) and sinks broken after another explosion at 09.13. After the hit, steamer radioes several times. (1) in several cases I have found that commanders report the height of the water column create
Forum: General Discussions

Hi Robert Thanks for your help, this shows air compressed is not the only method to lauch a torpedo from a submarine. But as far as German torpedo concerns, still it is not clear to me the procedure. Could a torpedo leave the flooded tube only by means of its own propellers? VII C manual reports: "In the case of failure of the electrical firing system, the flashing of corresponding l
Forum: Technology and Operations

Hi everyone! I post here because I have another question about a torpedo launch procedure. In a page from a type VII U-Boat KTB, describing a submerged attack, one can read: "Versager in der Abfeueranlage. Rohr wird eigene Sek. spaeter von Hand lasgemacht". The literal meaning is clear, but what does it mean "von Hand"? Was there a way to launch torpedo without compr
Forum: Technology and Operations

Thank you for your answer, but the plate I'm talking about is seen in operational (not training) boats based in Lorient in the second half of 1940, such as U-99 and others. bezukhov
Forum: Modeling and schematics

Thanks, it seems very reasonable. This would explain why later boats didn't have it - allied had total air control. On the contrary,I know that in the early days of war there were some cases of friendly fire between German aircraft and U-Boats. Can you give me the source from which yout took your statement? I have half a dozen technical books about U-Boats but I didn't find any expl
Forum: Modeling and schematics

Hello to everyone on the net I found a very interesting kit by Griffon Model. It contains some accurate details to improve the quality of a Type VIID 1/144 model, here's the link: . I really wish to know what is the big semi-circular plate between the 88mm gun and the forward battery hatch. I have sometimes seen this plate in original pictures but I can't imagine its function: man
Forum: Modeling and schematics

Thanks maciek i wrote you a private message!
Forum: Technology and Operations