There’s a book called “Iron Coffins” written by a former WWII German U-Boat skipper. Their attrition was unbelievably high. I know longer remember the percentage, but volunteering for that service was almost a death sentence.
I’ve never understood how a person could serve extended time on a submarine even in the best of times.
I think it takes a very specific kind of person.
Yep. Those U-Boats were a ticket to death, I believe over 1,000 sunk and over 30,000 sailors went down with them. Nasty business. I suppose that movie Das Boot did a pretty good job of exhibiting the anxiety level of any submariner, on any side of the war.
I’ve read that WWII U-boat losses amount to 75%, 28,000 KIA.
I’ve read that WWII U-boat losses amount to 75%, 28,000 KIA.
Ironically in this modern technological era, it is probably safer serving on a submarine than any surface naval combatant.
There is a book named, “Silent Victory,” whose author is a submariner. He chronicled just about every patrol of every boat in the Pacific in WWII. It was required reading when I went to sub school in 62. It actually became part of the curriculum for sub school.
Some of the stories are bone-chilling even though I served proudly and happily on the boats.
Especially if you ran into a destroyer carrying these. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kAj9syecU0
That book is incredible. I couldn't put it down. There have been questions regarding its accuracy through the years. The author, Herbert Werner, died in Florida several years ago.
Around 70% of those serving in U-Boats in WWII were KIA.
Since we're on the subject of WWII sub warfare here are a few more great, non-fiction reads on the subject: Wake Of the Wahoo by Forrest J. Sterling, Submarine! by Edward L. Beach, Thunder Below, by Eugene Fluckey, Clear the Bridge! and Wahoo by Richard O'Kane and Sink 'Em All by Charles Lockwood . All of these are gripping, action-packed accounts of US sub warfare in WWII.
If I remember correctly it was around 75%.