Posted on 02/01/2013 9:52:25 AM PST by the scotsman
'They were among the most feared killing machines of World War One, causing the deaths of thousands of servicemen at sea.
So when the people of Hastings woke one morning to see this German U-boat on their beach, it caused something of a shock. These eerie pictures show how the horrors of war got a little bit too close to home for the people of the Sussex town.
The U-boat, number 118, was surrendered on February 23, 1919 - exactly one year after it was launched. The type two boat was due to be transferred to France but the tow parted and she went aground off the Sussex coast two months later - this was despite the attempts of a French destroyer to break her up with gunfire.
Thousands of people flocked to the seafront near the Queens Hotel to catch a glimpse of the killing machine. Eventually, it became so popular that the town clerk started charging people a small fee to be allowed on board.
The proceeds went towards the Mayor's Fund for the welcome home of the troops which was planned later that year. But residents soon grew sick of children pelting the boat with rocks and making a racket throughout the night and the order was eventually given to break her up.
Parts of U-118 were then snatched and dispersed all over Hastings. The town itself was presented with the submarine's gun but it was buried in the shingle by wave action. Although recovered again in 1921 it was disposed of despite calls for it to be mounted on a plinth and kept as a permanent reminder of the event.'
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
looking at the uboat i would have guessed a TYPE IIC from early WW2
“Emergency! Emergency! Everyone to get from street!”
Great movie!
Isn't that line from the movie "The Russians are coming, the Russians are coming", a great comedy from the 60's?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.