Hi Kevin, Interesting thread: I am looking tentatively at going to France myself next year and of course the U boat bunkers are places I want to visit. I will be watching this thread with great interest! I am looking at around september also for my visit. all the best Dave
Forum: General Discussions

Hi Pedro you are right: I did a search; i dont have the time to go through it all but from what I can make out there is a lot of fiction in his account of his U boat days...and a few facts. Disappointing. i have to assume the ships he sunk were made up. cheers Dave
Forum: General Discussions

I am re reading Heinz Schaeffers account "U 977" I am concerned about the accuracy of this book, In the text Schaeffer talks about several incidents where the U boat he was on at the time sunk a ship. However when I looked at his profile on this website it says that both boats schaeffer was on before U 977 had no successes in sinking ships whilst on patrol This being U 445 a
Forum: General Discussions

Lucky you: the scenery round castle hill is spectacular; went there a couple of months ago plus went through cave stream. didnt see any u boats though...
Forum: General Discussions

Thanks Ibrahim; I have already got "U boot far from home" and you are right: its a good book. Now I will look for "Hitlers Grey Wolves". Simon: good to hear from another kiwi! I think there are a few of us on here. Im in Christchurch by the way cheers Dave
Forum: General Discussions

Im thinking of getting the book 'Hitlers grey wolves' do you think it is a worthwhile book to own? being from new zealand I am most interested in all things U boat from down this way. cheers Dave
Forum: General Discussions

looks like a must have to me ill be getting all 3 in one go next month I'd say
Forum: General Discussions

Hello all I came across a book that says that the XXI type U boat had stern firing torpedos as well as the usual bow ones there was even a diagram I take it this book is error as i have not seen any proof of this set up myself cheers Dave
Forum: Technology and Operations

Great material must have been quite hair raising proceeding submerged under ice. After all, a U boot can remain submerged for only so long and what happens if a break in the ice cannot be found... It must be very quiet underneath the ice as well.
Forum: General Discussions

Thanks for the information Rainer: i had a look through my U boot library but could not find anything on Wunderland II so really appreciate your input many thanks Dave
Forum: General Discussions

Hi Rainer Many thanks for your reply: i will look into operation Wunderland II as I am not sure what it is about. Perhaps something to do with weather stations? But I am only guessing. Ah so it was U 862 that went the most south. I plan to go to Stewart Island this year. cheers Dave
Forum: General Discussions

Trivial question I know, none the less one that I would love to know the answer to: Is it known how far north U boats were able to sail (in terms of longitude) and which individual U boat was able to sail to the most northern longitude? Im guess U boats did not have much capacity to deal with ice? As far as the Southern hemisphere goes, am i correct to assume that U 862 sailed the most s
Forum: General Discussions

May he rest in peace
Forum: General Discussions

Many thanks Herb: today, at long last and due to your generosity, I have my own copy of "U boat far from home"! I guess i owe you a drink cheers all who have helped me track this book down. I am now a member of the U boot Archiv and intend to continue my study of U 862 and her time in NZ waters All the best Dave
Forum: General Discussions

Herb: cheers mate; lets talk turkey as they say in this neck of the woods please email me and we can go from there: exinfurnus@yahoo.com who knows; i may be getting this book after all!
Forum: General Discussions

Hi all sorry to be so late replying: have been out of town and visiting friends in Dunedin for the last week or so simon: cheers for your email. i looked into it and they want nz$80 for the book; more than i am willing to spend right now. But thanks for the link. Nothing wrong with being busy: get in touch when you have some time. Jerry: sounds promising! if you have an extra copy please
Forum: General Discussions

I know someone who has been to gisborne and he thinks this claim by timms is fanciful do to the nature of the harbour there. however this is no forum for speculation so i will not pass comment. I am thinking that perhaps he went close to gisborne, but not actually into the harbour itself. If you do an image search of gisborne you will see what I mean. otherwise i can forward pictures via
Forum: General Discussions

Just read the link to the article on the main page of this site: interesting stuff. I wonder if they went inside the U boat
Forum: General Discussions

What does the article say? U boats and Sth America seem to be the flavour of the month at the moment!
Forum: General Discussions

well MPC as you know, i work in NZ's biggest second hand bookshop (Smiths) we had one copy come through in the last 7 years but alas the boss got it to give to his father for a Birthday present last year. His father was a submariner with the Royal Navy in WW2 and his a big library on submarines. thats the only copy i have seen in a shop. its not too important: i will just keep my ey
Forum: General Discussions

hello all and all the best for 2008! If in your travels anyone here comes across the book by David Stevens "U boat far from home" I would appreciate it if you could let me know: id love to get my hands on a copy of my own. amazon do have it second hand...but at a price, I'll by any man a pint who can help get me that book, Of course, living in New Zealand its going to b
Forum: General Discussions

eeer MPC i was speaking for myself I have been on the cook straigth ferry
Forum: General Discussions

yes that would be a bit rough i guess if you were working in the engine room maybe it wouldnt be so bad? I wonder how you would warm up after finishing an icy cold watch? ah we land lubbers take so much for granted dont we
Forum: General Discussions

I asked a similar question a while ago and got some great responses from people here: look for that thread it will be of great help to you. Iron Coffins was a great read, even if not 100% accurate at times historically speaking Hirschfelds book is a craker too. theres a book list on this site that has some good recommendations for people new to this subect: check it out
Forum: General Discussions

hello all and seasons greetings from New Zealand I am curious to know what the living conditions were like for crew of arctic U boats: what was the temperature like inside a U boat in the arctic; was there anyway of regulating the temperature inside the pressure hull? was it freezing temperatures inside the U boat? or did the engines keep things ok? somehow I cant help but think it mu
Forum: General Discussions

Wasnt there a case of one U boot captain surrendering his boat without much of a struggle and when he and his crew ended up in POW camp there was an unofficial court martial against him? Then I think subsequently the man later took his life I may be wrong here: I dont have the facts in front of me
Forum: General Discussions

yes: birthday wishes to you from new zealand I really get a lot out of this website. soon i hope to join the conning tower once again: all the best!
Forum: General Discussions

Thanks Ken I had a go at emailing Maurice but my emailed boomeranged straight back. Thanks for the extra info: I will follow it up cheers once again Dave
Forum: General Discussions

Thanks for the information. I will get this updated u boot emblem publication. Is it known if there are still copies for sale and if the address given is still current? I'd prefer to be sure before I send away my cash thanks once again Dave
Forum: General Discussions

Ken Deshaies Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Ken, > > > Thanks for the quick and informative NC > reply..... > > I had also checked the "Hogels" corrections that > was put together by Walter Storbeck (Hamburg) - No > luck there either: > > #msg-40618 > > Thanks again Ken. > I have a copy o
Forum: General Discussions