Crewman from a WW2 German U-Boat has words we should ponder

[Dan]

46. Well to add a little history

The Germans had several different Enigma (code) machines. Admiral Gallagher who was in command of the task force that captured that submarine wanted to capture a submarine intact. So he had a special trained group in the task force that were directed to board any U-boat. This was extremely dangerous due to the Germans directive to sink any U-boat that was in danger of being captured. So, everyone that made up the group that went into that U-boat had not a clue whether charges had been set to go off or what.

Anyway, the reason for the silence on the plight of the U-boat was when they captured the sub, it had the latest Enigma machine plus charts and other assorted secret documents that were pertinent to the submarine force. I think (trying to remember) that the Captain of the U-boat was wounded by the airplanes that shot up the sub and thus certain procedures weren’t followed.

There was (I believe) an Italian that was part of the crew that helped the Americans prevent the sub from sinking and assisted in getting the sub in shape that it could be saved.

Oh as an aside, the U.S. Navy had targeted U-505 for a few weeks planning to capture the submarine.

I hope that I got that right.