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thats really cool, from the same era the japanese started the "Kaiten" project. Take a small sub, stuff a warhead in the nose, get some people willing to die for the country and ou have the suicide subs "Kaiten" fairly unsucessfull campaign, think around 900 people died with only 2 confirmed hits with them, one in the beggining in the US naval base in south pacific and one at the end. intresting read, id like to get my hands on one for a PSUB! lol here check it out http://combinedfleet.com/ship.php?q=kaiten.htm Cody McMillan Marine Engineer 6046573770 To: Personal_Submersibles@psubs.org Subject: [PSUBS-MAILIST] WEAPONS OF DESPERATION: German Frogmen and Midget Submarines of the Second World War Date: Mon, 4 May 2009 13:46:00 -0400 From: toolroomtrustee@aol.com I read this book over the weekend. My library got it on Interlibrary Loan for me from the Dudley Knox Library at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey CA. This book was written by Lawrence Paterson and published by Naval Institute Press. Patersen describes the frogmen, explosive warhead speed boats (Linsen) and a variety of midget submarines starting with the torpedoes that had their explosive charge removed to make a pilot compartment with a dome for operator vision and a torpedo slung underneath. These couldn't travel submerged. He then goes onto describe the one man Biber which was based on the English Welman and carried two torpedoes. He finally describes the two man Seahund which could also carry two torpedoes or mines ar a mixture. They were also used near end of war to carrry foods and essential supplies to cut off German garrisons in Holland. He actually doesn't really go into too much technical detail on the submarines and the drawing in the book mainly show the exterior and not the interiors. He does describe problems with the various types as well as their successes. He describes how the Seaahunds staged out of Holland could get into the Thames estuary in England and sink ships there. He makes the point that with their two torpedo load they were making missions that rivalled the Type XXIII but at a far lower cost for boat and crew. Admittedly the conditions for the crew of the Seahunds were appalling with toilets except empty ration cans. Paterson also points out that the Germans had a late start compared to the Japanese, Italians, and even the English. He also points out that the German command seemed to treat the frogmen and miniature subs somewhat as regular sailors and equipment not specialized for specialized work unlike the Italians, Japanese, and English. Interesting read for those that like midget subs. Larry Murray One at a time or all at once? Get updates from your friends in one place. |