The Sailor
02-01-2008, 21:33
Gunter Prien and U-47
In October, 1939, only a month after war had been declared, an assault on Scapa Flow was planned using the U-Boat U-47, commanded by Lieutenant Günther Prien. On the night of October 13th, the U-Boat managed to pass between the Orkney Mainland and Lamb Holm into Scapa Flow, between two northerly blockships. Just after midnight HMS Royal Oak was sighted in Scapa Bay. Torpedoes were fired, and a hole 30 feet in diameter was made in the hull, and she capsized. Of the crew of 1400 men, 833 lost their lives.
Gunter Prien was the best known of all U Boat captains. He carried out ten patrols and was later lost in U 47, but not before he had sunk 28 allied ships of 160,000 grt. He was feted a hero in Germany after the daring raid on Scapa Flow.
Günther Prien was killed when U-47 was lost with all hands (45 men) on 7 or 8 March, 1941.
This incident is now being questioned, as the traditional credit for U-47's sinking has always been attributed to the British destroyer HMS Wolverine, but new data suggests that the destroyer was actually attacking Eckermann's UA which had to withdraw from the battle with heavy damage.
It is now speculated that U-47 was hit by one of her own circling torpedoes.
Following this event, Scapa Flow became heavily defended with anti-aircraft batteries, minefields and further blockships. In 1940, Winston Churchill gave orders that the defences on the eastern side of Scapa Flow were to be improved by setting concrete blocks between islands to make causeways. These four causeways are known as the Churchill Barriers.
Italian POWs were used to build the barriers. They were unhappy, declaring this to be war work, and thus against the Geneva Convention
Prien gives a salute at the homecoming reception after torpedoing Royal Oak
In October, 1939, only a month after war had been declared, an assault on Scapa Flow was planned using the U-Boat U-47, commanded by Lieutenant Günther Prien. On the night of October 13th, the U-Boat managed to pass between the Orkney Mainland and Lamb Holm into Scapa Flow, between two northerly blockships. Just after midnight HMS Royal Oak was sighted in Scapa Bay. Torpedoes were fired, and a hole 30 feet in diameter was made in the hull, and she capsized. Of the crew of 1400 men, 833 lost their lives.
Gunter Prien was the best known of all U Boat captains. He carried out ten patrols and was later lost in U 47, but not before he had sunk 28 allied ships of 160,000 grt. He was feted a hero in Germany after the daring raid on Scapa Flow.
Günther Prien was killed when U-47 was lost with all hands (45 men) on 7 or 8 March, 1941.
This incident is now being questioned, as the traditional credit for U-47's sinking has always been attributed to the British destroyer HMS Wolverine, but new data suggests that the destroyer was actually attacking Eckermann's UA which had to withdraw from the battle with heavy damage.
It is now speculated that U-47 was hit by one of her own circling torpedoes.
Following this event, Scapa Flow became heavily defended with anti-aircraft batteries, minefields and further blockships. In 1940, Winston Churchill gave orders that the defences on the eastern side of Scapa Flow were to be improved by setting concrete blocks between islands to make causeways. These four causeways are known as the Churchill Barriers.
Italian POWs were used to build the barriers. They were unhappy, declaring this to be war work, and thus against the Geneva Convention
Prien gives a salute at the homecoming reception after torpedoing Royal Oak