Dan_P
Contributor
May 6th 1945 was the day after Denmark's liberation from Germany, and also the day U-3523 would be sunk by British B-24 Liberators using depth charges.
U-3523 was special.
It was one of just four commissioned Type XXI-submarines that had been developed during WWII at Admiral Dönitz's request. He desperately needed an ocean-going submarine with increased battery capacity, better tactical utility and snorkel recharging options.
Type XXI was it, and had it been developed sooner, it's tactical and strategical impact would no doubt have been catastrophic to allied forces.
While Type XXI did take submarine warfare and -production to new levels - it inspired the designs of American, British, Swedish and Russian submarines in decades to come - it became nothing more than a footnote in WWII-history.
Until now, that is!
Sea War Museum Jutland has discovered U-3523 at 123m in Skagerrak, Denmark, and it's one of just two preserved Type XXI's. A truly fantastic discovery, which hopefully will lead to great contributions to maritime history.
This post from UTD Norway has an article reference about it, from national Danish news broadcaster - Danmarks Radio. Please note, the article is in Danish.
U-3523 was special.
It was one of just four commissioned Type XXI-submarines that had been developed during WWII at Admiral Dönitz's request. He desperately needed an ocean-going submarine with increased battery capacity, better tactical utility and snorkel recharging options.
Type XXI was it, and had it been developed sooner, it's tactical and strategical impact would no doubt have been catastrophic to allied forces.
While Type XXI did take submarine warfare and -production to new levels - it inspired the designs of American, British, Swedish and Russian submarines in decades to come - it became nothing more than a footnote in WWII-history.
Until now, that is!
Sea War Museum Jutland has discovered U-3523 at 123m in Skagerrak, Denmark, and it's one of just two preserved Type XXI's. A truly fantastic discovery, which hopefully will lead to great contributions to maritime history.
This post from UTD Norway has an article reference about it, from national Danish news broadcaster - Danmarks Radio. Please note, the article is in Danish.
