(Imperial War Museums, London)
Operation Deadlight was the code name for the demolishing of U-boats after the defeat of Germany in World War II.
Of the 154 U-boats surrendered, 121 were scuttled in deep water near Northern Ireland and Scotland. On 12 February 1946 the U-3514 was the last U-boat sunk by Operation Deadlight. The other 33 were used for various tasks and then sunk. For instance the U-1105, which sank in an explosives trial in the Potomac in 1948.
Several U-boats escaped Operation Deadlight. Some were claimed as prizes by Britain, France, Norway and the Soviet Union. A few ended up in museums.
52 surrendered U-boats moored at Lisahally, (Imperial War Museums, London)
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In these days the war, in Germany, had been ended since 20 days, while the civil war in Northern Ireland had just started.
ReplyDeleteThat’s quite a haul. I don’t think it ever occurs to us what happens to U-boats etc after surrender.
ReplyDeleteWell, at least they kept a few of them. This was super interesting, Rob. Thanks so much for your visit and comments too.
ReplyDeleteI've been through the U-505 in Chicago. It's interesting to tour and quite well displayed inside the Museum of Science and Industry.
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