Posted on 07/11/2005 2:10:37 PM PDT by sonofatpatcher2
The U-2513 is what's known as a Type 21 German U-boat. In the 1940s, the Type 21 was a secret weapon that threatened to change the course of two wars: WWII, and then later, the Cold War. During WWII, German hopes were riding on it, and the Allies were terrified of it. After the war, the British, Americans, and Russians couldn't wait to get their hands on it.
It was a weapon that had the potential to change the balance of world power and determine the outcome of the Cold War. Join our Deep Sea Detectives, John Chatterton and Richie Kohler, as they dive in over 200 feet of water some 95 miles offshore of Key West. There they investigate the wreck of a one of WWII's most significant naval innovations--a boat design that changed history.
Unterseeboot 2513 (U-2513) was a Type XXI U-boat of the Kriegsmarine that was operated by the United States Navy for several years after World War II .
Her keel was laid down 19 July 1944 by Blohm + Voss of Hamburg .She was commissioned 12 October 1944 withKapitänleutnant Hans Bungards in command. Bungards was relieved on 27 April 1945 by Fregattenkapitän Erich Topp , who commanded the boat for less than two weeks.
U-2513 conducted no war patrols. On 8 May 1945, Topp surrendered his command at Horten, Norway . U-2513 wastaken to Oslo on 20 May , then to Lisahally , Northern Ireland , which she reached on 7 June . In August1945, the U-boat was transferred to the United States .
A year later, August 1946 , U-2513 began an extensive overhaul in Charleston, South Carolina , which was completed latein September. On 24 September , she departed Charleston and headed for Key West, Florida . The following day, she began six months ofduty which included both evaluation tests of the U-boat's design and duty in conjunction with the development of submarine andantisubmarine tactics. The Greater Underwater Propulsion Power Program (GUPPY) would be initiated becauseof the results of these tests.
On 15 March 1947 , U-2513 headed north from Key West, Florida , bound for the New England coast, and arrived at Portsmouth, New Hampshire , on 22 March . Sheremained there until 8 September when she began six weeks of operations outof Portsmouth and New London, Connecticut , underthe auspices of the Commander, Submarines, Atlantic Fleet. She concluded that duty on 15 October and departed New London to return to Key West. U-2513 resumed her old duties at Key West five dayslater and continued them until the summer of 1949 .
In mid-June 1949 , the submarine moved from Key West, Florida , north via Norfolk,Virginia , to Portsmouth, New Hampshire ,where she was placed out of service in July 1949 . She remained at Portsmouth until August 1951 at which time she returned to Key West. On 2 September 1951 , the Chief of Naval Operations ordered that the boat be sunk by gunfire. U-2513 was sunk west of Key West, Florida during rocket tests by the destroyer Robert A. Owens (DD-827) on 7 October 1951 .
Just thought this was interesting...
Damn, you had me all excited.
Last night History Channel had a special on military interrogation. It traced why it's important and how it's done focuing on the time period from WWII to todays war on terror. It was pretty good. Tonight's U-boat show looks pretty good also. Two more winners from the best channel on television.
Re: "Damn, you had me all excited."
Gad! You need a day or so off...
];^D)
Great Show...I'll be watching.
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