The Tragic Story Behind A Perfectly Preserved WW2 U-Boat Wreck | The Lost Submarine | Real History

In 2005, the wreck of a German U-Boat was discovered in the Ligurian sea, just off the coast of Italy. The wreck was in almost perfect condition, leading researchers to question why this wreck was here in the first place. This documentary follows the amazing story behind how this U-Boat met it's tragic end.
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[@realhistory9284]

It's like Netflix for history... Sign up to History Hit the world's best history documentary service with code ‘REALHISTORY’ for a huge discount! 👉bit.ly/3Oa0DTK

[@davidhollenshead4892]

Its not even that. They call Torpedo "Missiles" and Depth Charges "Grenades"... The footage is good, but the narration isn't even as good as Netflix's...

[@jacobsparry8525]

@@davidhollenshead4892 - ​ I have to agree about the grenade attack. I thought they meant they had been attacked with a Hedgehog Anti-Submarine Spigot Mortar: “ The Hedgehog (also known as an Anti-Submarine Projector) was a forward-throwing anti-submarine weapon that was used primarily during the Second World War. The device, which was developed by the Royal Navy, fired up to 24 spigot mortars ahead of a ship when attacking a U-boat “.

[@sebastianschroeder6459]

@@davidhollenshead4892 I also have to agree, I feel the U-boats get disrespected when they are simply regarded as "Submarines" since it is such a vague and meaningless term, we talk about U-boats, so we expect them to say U-boats more than once in the first 10 minutes... Does anyone else feel they disrespected the crew and U-boat?

[@oleyolson8931]

@@davidhollenshead4892 .

[@michaelthielen4563]

​@@oleyolson8931 no they fought a different kind of engagement

[@bcas71]

American sub vet here, I feel so sorry for this guy. We are a brotherhood unlike any other. It's not just his friends, these boats are our homes. We go in young and grow up together. My boat is older, but still in service. I am going in a few weeks to a reunion with my brothers and to see her again. We have been doing it a couple of years now, but this will be the first time back on board for me in 28 years. I would be devastated to learn that tragedy befell her. Rest easy, and fair winds to all who served on all sides.

[@johnmccue9798]

As an old bubblehead I can understand his pain, for the Grace of God there goes I

[@seektruth3307]

@@johnmccue9798 Thank you both for your service.

[@MB5rider81]

I am also a submarine veteran. Qualification was hard because of the cliq nature of the Buffalo crew. Drydock alcoholic madness. Prejudice and hate were always COB. you haven't lived until you feel alone on a submarine. I'm glad I smoked weed in Hawaii. I'm glad I tasted the hate of the US NAVY . . . I remember the sick, twisted jobs we were given by vengeful "shipmates" while in Separation Division. I'm glad I gave up drinking and went home to see my sick father before he died. F**k the NAVY for sending me to job corps in Kentucky. By the time I got out, I had seen death, drugs, rape, theft, cold, despair. Then boot camp. No E3 out of boot. I was starboard watch.. wrote the watchbill.. every mistake made on watch. . . They screamed at me too. I was punished with everyone who messes up watch. 💀😠💀😠💀😠💀😠

[@louisflores2552]

Feel sorry for a guy that would of killed you in a heartbeat..duh

[@kirkkirkland7244]

What boat or sub is still in service from WW2???

[@joshmcdonald5520]

"My best friend is in there..." That part is the most wrenching of this whole thing...

[@toesuf94]

And to think, a French sub-pilot is comforting a German who has seen the fate of so many of his comrads. Goes to show that there are no sides if we truly look at the world - only people. I can only hope that he took solace in knowing his comrads are buried in a beautiful part of the sea surrounded by beauty. God bless all who served.

[@Ndiver81]

You could hear the pain in his voice

[@C77-C77]

Powerful words. I don't blame him for not wanting to stay down there long. There are many tough, hard men who once involved in a tragedy on the seas can never go back. And if they do, it's not for long. I recall watching a dive down to a Great Lakes shipwreck where one of the two survivors had a chance to go down in a submersable to see the ship he worked/lived on for many years before it broke it's back and dumped him into the cold waters. He had no interest in even getting in the water again. They tied a rope to the wreck and brought it up to him on the ship so he could "connect" with his fallen mates who are still entombed within the ship (When the Great Lakes Witch of November gets hungry and comes stealing, she NEVER gives ANYTHING up.) one final time.

[@gregp9350]

May the crew rest in peace. The war is long over. It was sad to see this former sailor mourning the loss of his friends. Thank you for taking us / him there. This was a good documentary.

[@pilsplease7561]

Agreed, I knew a guy who survived the war and was a Uboat captain his daughter was my moms best friend growing up, he lived well into his 90's and became a doctor after the war treating patients about the world in countries with wars and famines and etc going on.

[@paulschock531]

An extremely well done video, showing the human side of history, of war. My dad was a 2nd lieutenant in ww2, led 150 men in the battle of st lo a couple days after dday. After a few days of fighting, he lost half of his men, and was a decorated hero just before he himself was severely wounded. He spent almost a year in hospitals. My point in bringing this up. The only time my dad shared his war stories with me was when he drove me across country to go to college. And one of the few times I ever saw him cry was when he told me about killing numerous German soldiers who were attacking through a barley field. My dad spoke only German the first 6 years of his life on a farm in SD, and what made him cry was the fact that he knew (because he spoke German, he would handle pow's) that most of their soldiers were just young people like him. He said that every captured soldier would ask for 2 things: food, and a Bible. Oh the costs of war.

[@pappysshoes6563]

My old man left us in 98, he did D-Day Omaha to Berlin, my Uncle Lin did the Battle of Bataan, the Death March and survived both only to drink himself to death when I was 7, I owe a debt of gratitude to all 3 of them Including your Father I have no means to ever repay, thanks to them all. Neither of them ever talked about WWII except with each other, they were a class unto themselves, sadly my Uncle never Truly came home, and could never shake the Horrors he saw, I remember him distantly as always kind to me as a boy. Their Nephew my mothers brother did 3 tours as a Marine in Viet Nam in M48 tanks, all of them were giants in my life.

[@prestonwhite4129]

What unit was your father in? I collect artifacts and interview living veterans of the 3rd Armored Division. They were at St. Lo before the breakout at the Falaise Pocket. I’m guessing your father was in the 1st, 29th, 30th infantry divisions, or 3rd armored division?

[@koltoncrane3099]

Pappy I think I heard there’s a movie or book about that march in the Philippines. I remember living in Baguio, and that’s where mcaurther had a massive cabin built or hotel. It’s a hotel today. Ya my mom says her relatives that served never spoke about the war. But it makes sense if people served they’d drink themselves to death. Especially back then when the government I think admitted people had shell shock but not ptsd or didn’t treat for it from what I heard. So people drinking and wishing they had died in battle was probably their form of self medication or dealing with the mental trauma that was never dealt with. Well heck even today a lot of vets commit suicide. The music video five finger death punch I remember everything had some stats I remember reading a few years ago.

[@kurtbilinski1723]

My dad grew up in the US with first-generation Polish parents, so he knew the language. During WWII, Army Intelligence asked for anyone who could speak Polish, to interview Polish soldiers. The move from his unit to Intelligence saved his - and indirectly, my - life, as his unit was wiped out soon after attempting to take a bridge. Anyway, one of the few things about the war he told me was that the enemy soldiers "were just scared kids, just like us." A terrible thing to all involved.

[@cowboywoodard2569]

My father was in the,South Pacific, His ship was torpedo and only a handful of survivors, at our Ranch there was a handful of these men coming to visit and get together..I was 5 years old and I was in Bed and was a woke by the sound of crying.I got out of bed to see where and what was the crying I knew it was not my brother nor my Sister.To my extreme and the scariest thing I saw was,my Dad and his,Buddies were crying and a few hugging another I was horrified to this site( I was taught never to cry) I went back to my Bed and never spoke of this..But one day in my dad's area also his reloading room which we were never allowed in ( I did sneak in to get gunpowder) anyway there was is huge filing cabinet and the Bottom drawer was opened and I saw this big binder with tons of photos and saw,ships on fire and and others firing shells etc.etc. mayhem..He caught me and scolded me, I was 12years old and very much a young man. Rodeos breaking my own horse and bucking hay and very big for my age..Ranch life is tough ..anyway he finally broke down and told me the story..but the saddest part to all of this THE JAP cruiser came by and started to machine gun the survoirs and at nite the sharks came and you know the rest,however one of our ships came by chance and he was picked up 4 days and he suffered injuries as,well. I got to stop here for the way us kids was bad at times he could and would be brutal to us.Anyway war I never want and the,Warmongers and the Neocons should be forced to be on the Front Lines not us!!

[@TheDarthBobul]

Can’t imagine the emotional hurricane that man felt as he saw the boat resting there on the bottom of the ocean filled with his brothers. Knowing you were not far away from being in there yourself must really be taxing on you emotionally.

[@thekingsilverado3266]

Just imagine the relief everyone feels world wide since my ex mother inlaw went down with the Costa Concordia there has not been another Big Foot sighting ever since...

[@magnusclapront947]

@@thekingsilverado3266 lmaooo wtf🤣

[@thekingsilverado3266]

@@karlwithak. If the hull was breached nobody could be alive period.

[@BonnieCaarol]

@@karlwithak. do you know how long agon World war 2 was????

[@landocommando8]

Poor guy :(

[@robertgreenwald2811]

The ending was very emotional to watch! Him not wanting to see any more, reminds me of how my father didn't want to talk about his experiences in WW2. As with all vets that have experienced battle, it's something you want to leave behind you!

[@lassekristensen385]

When he started cry, so did I. No matter what people says I did not want the outcome of the war to be like this. But overall no matter what its a great human catastrophe. It was a great documentary without the usual BS propaganda. KUDOS to the creator! When he started cry, so did I. No matter what people says I did not want the outcome of the war to be like this. But overall no matter what its a great human catastrophe. It was a great documentary without the usual BS propaganda. KUDOS to the creator! It made me happy and smile when I saw the initial success of the U-boats and the welcome they got as heroes. But also the display of my completely normal Germanic brothers (I am Dane). in their everyday life and great footage! Instead of through Hollywood lens.

[@DrumMenace]

I can't imagine the sorrow that the old man is feeling at the end. He saw it and then he was ready to leave.

[@Sgt_Bill_T_Co]

Yes he said in German 'genug, genug' which in English is "enough, enough".

[@peterc4082]

@@Sgt_Bill_T_Co Wasn't genug when his side was putting children against the wall in 1944 in the Wola district of Warsaw. They were losing the war but until the last breath they still had the energy to take innocent people down with them.

[@Sgt_Bill_T_Co]

@@peterc4082 Yes the Nazis were an evil regime, today we see the same facism eminating from Russia. Also in Israel is behaving way over top (IMHO) - eventually we'll wipe ourselves out........

[@doomhippie6673]

@@peterc4082 And that relates to this old man how?

[@peterc4082]

@@doomhippie6673 He was on the boat that was sinking other boats, boats which were supplying the people who wanted to end the Holocaust. That's how it relates.

[@drmontreal6165]

Fantastic story, and the epiphany of the survivor of U-455 made the story complete. His comrades entombed there were 50 of the 30,000 out of 40,000 German submariners total, who never returned home. And not to mention the crews of all the ships they sunk. War is to be avoided at all costs! This is as important to realize these days as it ever was.

[@johnpublic6582]

Truly, the only winning move is not to play.

[@motojunkie8348]

Sadly those that declare war do not have to fight in it. If they did then they'd never wage war.

[@pmc2999]

​@@motojunkie8348 I wish that were true but those in power never learn. Back in the days of chieftains, kings and emperors when they still led their men in battle and even died with them they still went. Greed for money and power is a hunger never sated

[@acousticshadow4032]

DR M ~ And yet a lesson that continues to go unlearned.

[@christopherlee5584]

Not ALL costs... but most costs, certainly. There are things worse than death.

[@johnwhitley2898]

My Dad was in the War. I'm glad Gerhardt was able to close a chapter for his Sub mates. Though all those men are still on patrol, he is able move forward and give it some rest, no matter how difficult. Fair winds and following seas.

[@Matt_from_Florida]

15:39 I'm so glad they interviewed these men while they were still alive (in 2005). For instance, my dad (1931-2014) was a Korean War veteran, drafted in 1951. If not for him telling me his experiences as well as knowing a handful of other 'Korea' veterans, I would not have known *how little 'enthusiasm'* there was among the American *people* for that war. Americans thought that war was far away in a place that (at the time) they had never heard of, and no one wanted to be drafted for it.

[@riprapter6322]

My dad was in WW 2 - Germany and China, Korea and Vietnam 2 times. He was Army, then in the US Air Force. I raised as brat in the Air Force and then joined the Air Force myself. But no subs for me. I am proud that our country has men that are brave enough to pull this duty to protect us.

[@moviemaker2011z]

war is used for depopulation and the transfer of finances now adays. back then with hitler war was the only option left because if not he would have tried to take over the world and he did have plans for how he was going to go about it. war back then was essential only in the case of defense and nothing more. now in todays world, war is used as a method to lower the population and send "aid" to countries we call allies when really its just payment for corrupt favors.

[@madeleinereed6460]

My Grandaddy (1932-2016) was a submarine electrician in the Korean War. Left the Navy as a Cheif Petty Officer. He was at Bikini Atol for the nuclear tests both above and below the water within a mile from each detonation. He never wanted to talk about his sub days.

[@paulmiddleton4215]

and to think, MacAuthur wanted to nuke NoKo. Truman was ostracised for firing Mac from the leadership.

[@REnninga]

Yes, interviews with people after they are dead are rarely very interesting, in my opinion. Lots of questions, but no answers.

[@MrBruinman86]

It has to be sobering knowing that it's not just a wreck, but for Gerhardt, it's a wreck with a connection. He knew just about everyone on that boat. 60-70 years worth of suppressed emotions all coming up at once. RIP.

[@Sgt_Bill_T_Co]

For me it would be RIP to all their victims, as for the U-Boat crew - I care nothing for them.

[@doomhippie6673]

@@Sgt_Bill_T_Co Which shows a certain lack of empathy. Carrying hatred after over 80 years is really a tribute to you, Sir.

[@chadczternastek]

That close-up video of the U-Boat was just mind blowing and amazing. It's like a whole different dimension. I could watch video like that all day. The technology now shows us a whole different picture than what we would of seen just ten or 20 years earlier. To know a whole crew was trapped in that boat died, is haunting. I love the fact this is is about investigating history.

[@tramlink8544]

not really, as this documentary IS from 20 years ago, it was filmed in 2005

[@user-sy1cj5pu6w]

Very Interesting as usual great reader ⚓️⚓️⚓️👍🏻

[@jacobsparry8525]

- I feel sorry for the surviving crew member. To know your best friend was on the sunken sub you are looking at, as well as all the other men and boys whose lives were wasted in that tragedy, and knowing you made it out alive because of a simple order of transfer. - 50 million lives lost because of a few power hungry madmen…. And it continues with every new generation that does not understand there is no glory in death, only the suffering of those left behind.

[@johnheigis83]

Knowing, the bones of your friend - as well as all the Crew, you knew - are / is still in that Sub, just a few feet away... Who will not ever go home.

[@thereisnosanctuary6184]

It was Nature. Tribes are at war for survival. It will keep happening. Humans hate each other.

[@Ryan-mq2mi]

By the time you're in your 90's, there's almost no one left. You get very used to it. They don't see life the same as you and I. 150,000 people die every single day, and if you've been around 34,000 days, that's over 5 billion people, or almost the whole population of Earth

[@lzcontrol]

Once you get past the "official" narrative and do some of your own digging around- be careful. Some things, once seen, can never be unseen.

[@icyubnvs]

He was not looking at a sunken sub. He was looking at a tomb.

[@beepseatsfindingfoodtreasu8756]

Once a war is over it's no longer enemies vs. enemies. It's soldiers who lost brothers on both sides. The bitterness is replaced with remorse and remembrance. To imagine what that man felt seeing his ship after all those decades as it is now. And his last thoughts about looking back and waving farewell to his shipmates. He really was waving farewell.

[@gailward3720]

I'm 71 and tried really hard to join the submarine service when I was 17. I took all of their tests, which I thought were kind of easy, a lot of common sense type questions. I needed my parents permission, and they refused. It was the same year the Thresher, Scorpion and a French sub were all lost. So I can't blame them. The navy called them and said I had the highest test scores ever recorded in Delaware. They begged them, "We want your son in our submarine program." "Well, what about finishing high school and college," they asked. "We will send him for free," they said. But they still refused. A free college education? I'd be like where do I sign? Well we never lost another sub after that terrible year, a testament to the Sub Safe Program. I'd still be here today and often think about wishing I could have joined. After I graduated college, I had so many job offers I forgot all about the Navy.

[@JohnDoe-xd2ld]

You guys have been blessed to not have an over saturated college education job market. I'm trying to figure out how to make sure my son's have a chance at success in the trades. AI doesn't have a buttcrack so I don't think it will overtake the plumbing jobs😅.

[@metalrooves3651]

what did you end up doing in life? was the pay double while underwater,like l have heard?

[@user-ys2xl6qb1q]

Thresher 1963, Scorpion 1968, the Minerve (French) 1968

[@lethalwolf7455]

I’ve seen a real Uboat and the size is impressive. Also walked inside it and it was fascinating. It’s in Chicago. Definitely worth seeing!

[@mooglemy3813]

U 505 is on display at the Chicago Museum of Industry And Science. I visited the U 505 on a Sunday, day off from Boot Camp in 1968 with about 5 others from my boot company. It was a great experience, there was a film recorded of the capture, towing and layer on its nove to Chicago. Went back for a 2nd visit in 1969 during A school at Great Lakes. Not much changed. But still a good visit. Went to a USN reunion in Chicago in 2012. U 505 was now inside a specially prepared area. The reason for her move was extreme environmental pitting just from sitting outside the museum where she was pulled from the lake on a temp rail line. Kind of shocked to see how acidic rain, Pollution from possible internal combustion engines degraded the U 505. Anyway if you get a chance to visit Chicago this is a great opportunity to see a ww2 German sub and visit it. I'm a former heavy guided missile cruiser and tin can sailor. Was a Machinist Mate engine rooms on 3 ships. Sure wouldn't wanted to have seved on a diesel boat in ww2 period or thereafter. A friend of mine on the USS Chivo SSN 341 called diesel boats pig boats. Not out of disrespect but how you smelled after returning to base. Different type of sailors from us surface skimmers for sure.

[@jeannieheard1465]

I read the story of that one.

[@jeannieheard1465]

​@@mooglemy3813 Each time it was sanded/scraped for repainting the skin kept getting more thin. BTW, I also read the book, The Sand Pebbles, by Richard McKenna. He as a machinist mate in the Asiatic fleet.

[@tramlink8544]

different type though, you were in the much larger type 9, U-455 was the Smaller Type 7, of which theres one left you can go inside of in Kiel

[@chairmanalf7856]

@@tramlink8544that’s the U-995 at Laboe. I visited that u-boat several years ago and it resembled exactly the interior of the set in Das Boot. I also subsequently visited the film set at Bavaria film studios in Munich.

[@moodberry]

What a wonderfully produced documentary. Old footage that had never been seen was inspiring. The point that hit me was when he said "My friend is in there" ....

[@marybourgeois5235]

My heart breaks for that gentleman. I'm so sorry. What a hard closure. GOD BLESS.

[@1946luke]

Serving on a U-boat had to be so miserable and so dangerous, that it was unbelievable. The patriotism and courage of all those who served is to be commended, both living and deceased.

[@kingtut8381]

MY OLD MAN AND I USED THAT TERM WITH GREAT RESPECT WAS A MERCHANT MARINE IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC WHOSE SHIP WAS FIRED ON BUT THE TORPEDOES MISSED, CALLED THE U-BOATS, ''PIG BOATS,'' AS THE LIVING CONDITIONS WERE MISERABLE, AS YOU STATED

[@MeduseldRabbit]

I always feel sorry for the crews, no matter which side they served. Editing to add: Given that when left to their own devices most enlisted or conscripted troops would much rather NOT be fighting anyone. There is a long history of soldiers doing holiday truces, trading rations, playing cards or sports with the "enemy" and just getting along in general when the officers are not around and they have not been programed to hate anyone but their own team/nation/ethnicity. If politicians and high command had to be up front doing the dirty work there would be a lot less war.

[@davidhollenshead4892]

Young men turned into cannon fodder by politicians... Too bad that the Germans didn't require Adolf to fight with them, so they could see that he wasn't willing to risk his life on his stupid war...

[@echoromeo384]

As do I. Men were asked to do things by their country they normally wouldn't do. Honor.

[@eraserone1]

i disagree

[@BasementEngineer]

@@davidhollenshead4892 Why don't you advocate the same for the true war mongers Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin???

[@lcprivatepilot1969]

Ditto

[@JohnCunningham-sy5ug]

God bless all brave young men who served their country. And made the ultimate sacrifice.

[@Bethlam]

It’s an interesting contrast from the excitement of finding the sub to the former sailor looking at the wreck. I like how they ended on an emotional note. It doesn’t matter what side you were on when you lose friends in a battle it’s just loss.

[@wirelessone2986]

The German U boat according to the documentary hit a German mine....wow

[@leapintothewild]

Wish the interpreter’s voice was louder compared to the original speaker - quite hard to hear. BUT fascinating story and appreciate being able to watch it here!

[@grimreaper4782]

What ?

[@leapintothewild]

@@grimreaper4782 Who?

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

​@@leapintothewild Where?

[@leapintothewild]

When? 😆

[@roadking99jokerst60]

You're right, Marijka. The sound editing could have been better

[@Ryan-mq2mi]

Amazing those two WWll veterans are in their 90's, but are totally sharp, able to walk and stand, and even go out on a ship, stand on the bow in the elements and carry on a conversation.

[@lukehorning3404]

I was thinking the same thing That generation was a different breed God bless them

[@GotoHere]

Unlike dementia Joe Biden.

[@ccrider3435]

@@GotoHere Joe Biden is on the side of America's greatest generation, the side that loves service, sacrifice, honor, valor and our beloved Democracy, not the side with cult daddy issues worshipping draft dodging dictators.

[@Silversong_Reavers]

Watching the emotions on his face… wow. I can only imagine what he was thinking… to know that 50 or your friends, brothers, comrades, and your home lies dead at the bottom of the ocean… to know those boys lay dead in that sub, never having gotten to come home, never getting the hero’s honor and memorial that they so deserved… to know that those men died to friendly fire even… I couldn’t

[@jumpinjehoshaphat1951]

The casualties suffered by U-boat crews were staggering. 75 percent of these brave sailors didn't survive.

[@johnyg1969]

so sad, the emotions at the end are incredible... my father in law's dad was killed in Ukraine during the war (hes German) and he is still very emotional about the war and the suffering his country created...such a sad thing. much respect to anyone who served, truly horrendous times

[@outlawbadge1]

I am watching this adventure right now. Yes, either a serial number on the deck gun or possibly a ship number under all the sea growth perhaps. There must be some missing U-boats still shortening the list of what sun this might be. The way it came to rest makes it appear like it is trying to surface. Awesome footage

[@taras3702]

Or the boat took on a huge volume of water aft, which lead to the boat sinking stern first. It's possible the bow compartment is still dry which would account for the wreck's position on the bottom.

[@donaldbrown9437]

I love following you guys! I know these times may feel frustrating now, but when you look back when Isa is much older, you will have a big smile and a warm feeling will come over your heart! These are actually very special times in your lives. Embrace them! Love you guys! Take care and have a great time.

[@tm13tube]

My dad was in the Coast Guard stationed at Norfolk, VA. His assignment alternated. One day he would load heavy ammo like torpedoes, etc. the next day he patrolled around Norfolk, VA the opening to the James River into Chesapeake Bay into the Atlantic searching for German U2 boats. Near the end he was sent to California where he trained and slept in Jackie Cooper’s home and were extras in movies. They were preparing for the mainland invasion of Japan. Truman used the two bombs and he didn’t have to go.

[@TheAirplaneDriver]

Last time I saw my ship was 50 years ago when I got out of the USN. I had always hope to see her again, but never did before it was decommissioned and scrapped. I can’t imagine what it would be like to see your ship….your home…with your friends, young forever, entombed in it at the bottom of the ocean. “Genug, Genug…”. Enough, enough. That is probably what I would have said too.

[@TheRandomSandwiches]

May I ask about your ship? I may have been part of the Air Wing but I'll always remember the deployments I had onboard my Aircraft Carrier.

[@TheAirplaneDriver]

@@TheRandomSandwiches USS Shreveport. LPD 12. Helicopters only. Very unlikely it was my ship.

[@terryeustice5399]

Yes being in a Submarine was scary. Least go down in one and drowning is just horrible. Thank you for the documentation of U-513 ❤️

[@jakethetool698]

Wow I may never forget watching that old sailor see the resting place of his friends. Although I’m glad he was able to be a part of the expedition, I wish I could tell him I’m sorry he had to experience those emotions, all over again.

[@imdeplorable2241]

OMG, what a story. To think, the line, "No one gets out of here alive" says it all about U-boats going into the Mediterranean. Sad. 😢 Excellent job, Real History. 👍👏

[@egatz4u]

I have a inside story. My grandfather was in the Italian navy during WW2 and was in the submarines service, He told us that the Italian navy used U boats during the war and he was on one of them. He even had picture of the sub.

[@tramlink8544]

they indeed did, in the exact same area where U-455 sank. the meditteranian was a hell hole for submarines. too shallow and the water was too clear meaning aircraft could easily spot a submarine at periscope depth

[@CJ-jf9pz]

This was really an amazing well done piece. The story itself is incredible. Sub found, finding two submariners who not only served on it but up until one of its last voyages. Finding out what brought it down and allowing one of the men to go down and see it! Awesome stuff. And the videography under the sea was great quality and mesmerizing

[@GeneTreants]

I can only imagine the pain of finding a long-lost ship, sunk with my shipmates onboard. I was in the Navy for 30 years and have seen ALL the ships I served on decommissioned. Each ship's decom was a personal loss in a way. At least they were empty hulls when finally disposed of to scrap or other purposes.

[@nancyschumacher8940]

Very well done documentary. I appreciate the lives sacrificed on all sides of the war. Just amazing men and women.

[@MrJdsenior]

The guys @ 29:34 walking across the dock with those vent pipes being carried from the inside was hilarious. It makes perfect sense to carry them that way, I guess, especially if you are trying to stretch out a worker force, but it still struck me as funny. "My best friend was in there". Then we go to the other extreme. At least he had someone with him who cared enough to comfort him. I hope that ultimately it was cathartic for him. War sucks. It's important that we remember and learn about this though, and try to put ourselves in their positions to try to attempt, for as long as possible, not to repeat it. Apparently the Russians don't share that belief. Neither do we at times, but a least we haven't started anything recently. Iraq II kinda sucked, excuses wise. Going in when asked, to try to help, is more noble and righteous, but still sucks. My father in law was shot down piloting a B24 over Poland, and was, against VERY long odds, escorted out by the Polish partisans. To the day he died he would help any Pole he knew of that needed it. He said that they were literally risking life and limb, and came within seconds of getting caught one time, and still continued to help. He helped author the escape and evasion manual that was taught for those that would follow him in that ordeal. One funny thing afterward is that he wouldn't touch a potato, for years. He was a superb amateur chef in his retirement years and he made pomme du terre dauphine many times, so he got over it, to our benefit as well. :-)

[@lmlmtthws694]

Very well done. Good portrayal of the research, really appreciated the former crewmembers and their recounting of history.

[@reach60532]

Submarines are manned by sailors, not soldiers. These are naval boats.

[@-Pol-]

I was serving as a photographer at RAF St Mawgan when we received a visit from two WW2 Luftwaffe veterans. It was really heartening to see the warmth, respect and and camaraderie shown between those two old boys and our modern day young pilots in the Officers Mess. Subsequently I enjoyed some of the best days of my life stationed in Germany and have an enduring fondness and respect for all our international cousins. I've come to realise that most humans are curious and cooperative towards each other. It is the insecure and fearful few who spread fear and hatred towards "the other".

[@oculusangelicus8978]

Just Imagine, you loved your fellow crewmen like they were your brothers. you lived through good times and bad together and experienced all of these things while living is close quarters, there were only enough bunks for half of the crew so you were hot-bunking, while one shift worked, one slept. when experiencing all of the horrors of warfare with each other, they were often closer than brothers, and for this man, he managed to escape the fate of his Submariner brothers because he was going to be trained as an officer. he never saw his friends ever again, and indeed, he never knew where they had met their fate, but then a bunch of people came to interview him about his experiences aboard his boat, and brought up all those old memories once again, reliving them once again, and they then invited him to go see his boat, the one he had served aboard with the men he came to trust, and love. And then to finally see the state of his ship for certain knowing that they were all still inside that boat that was sunk so long ago. The pain would be almost unbearable. knowing that their last moments were filled with pain, panic and horror of sinking and never being able to escape, until finally, for who know how long it took, succumbed to their watery grave. Imagine your family and loved ones going through such an end and it was because of some idiot neglecting to make the captain aware of the minefield they were entering just before dying. The war was hell for men on all sides of it, and it makes their suffering no less poignant or painful because of the side they were on. My heart breaks for this man. He was one of the very few Submariners who survived the war. The branch of his service had a 75% fatality rate!

[@indridcold8433]

World War II is over. The hate is gone. Former bitter enemies are now powerful allies. It is rather refreshing to see such a neutral point of view for the Nazis. Everyone knows they were the ones on the losing side and did many horrible things. However, not everyone seems to know they were also human. This documentary shows that the enemy was, indeed, very human. Rest in peace warriors on all sides.

[@my_name_is_chef4856]

What an incredible story and act to take one of the last crew members to see his old ship. The memories that came back to him although somewhat haunting I’m sure he is greatful

[@otisdriftwood8469]

The emotions he must be feeling, after all these decades seeing the U boat he served on, and his shipmates died in. I cant imagine how incredible, and incredibly sad that must be at the same time. As an army veteran, all the respect to everyone who has served.

[@brianhind6149]

I am at a loss to figure out WHY video makers insist on having a music track , which is irritating in the extreme.

[@paulspeed5519]

May the poor souls of U55 And many others like them Who were lost at sea No matter what country they served May they forever rest in peace 😢

[@larrysmiths1]

To the veteran submariner: Thank you for your service! Unless you were a card carrying proud Nazi, you should not have to be ashamed for your service and bravery in a time of war. You were put into a hard position at a tender age.......... it was not your fault!

[@marishkinovrossinski1380]

51:15 just killed me...I couldn't imagine..I'm not in the military so I don't know about war. But this just broke my heart. I cried with him. 💔

[@handleisunknown]

I thoroughly enjoyed this episode. Thank you for posting it!

[@zemetrius]

"my best friend is in there"........heart wrenching words.

[@dannycarter3647]

Now say that whilst wearing a Nazi uniform... Is it still heart wrenching?

[@doomhippie6673]

@@dannycarter3647 Yes. It still speaks of a loss of friends. What's wrong with showing empathy to somebody who has lost friends?

[@red.5475]

Whoever scripted this, did a total disservice to the material. A fascinating story, brought down by people who don't understand nomenclature.

[@daleburrell6273]

...well, "if ya don't LIKE IT- then ya don't have to EAT IT!!!" AND I SUPPOSE YOU COULD DO BETTER?!!!

[@red.5475]

@@daleburrell6273 What are you, 14? Easy on the caps.

[@roselightinstorms727]

No Escape. I'm so sorry. They are still with you and survived together❤

[@behindthespotlight7983]

At 4:15 just call John Chatterton & Richie Kohler. They’d be inside that ship before the antipasti is ready topside 😉

[@joetaylor486]

That was a fascinating and emotional tale of heroism and ultimately incompetence in the chain of command. What an emotional journey for all involved.

[@tonymorris4335]

Lets just admire that this is a french sub taking a german veteran down to see his fallen WW2 brothers. I'm a US veteran, but we can always learn to forgive and see each other as humans. Don't let nationalism drive us apart over anything that isn't worth our lives.

[@smudgey1kenobey]

Excellent documentary. Amazing what their research could discover so many years after the sub was lost. The pain of watching the German submariner seeing his sunken ship still holding the remains of his friends and sunk by the mines of his own country…intense.

[@johnnicolson467]

Scapa flow is a Scottish port not an English port....

[@chrisloomis1489]

To go see the underwater tomb containing your trapped friends remains , that kind of thing would reach out through decades and savage the heart. God keep those who sleep so deep , and let them come home in Heaven. All young boys ... all so young. War is truly Hell .

[@superbmediacontentcreator]

Great video, well presented in true Cousteau documentary style, with historic import.

[@marcoguaita2876]

Mi ha commosso il reduce alla vista dell' UBOAT. Si è visto passare davanti agli occhi tutti i ricordi di quel momento e dei suoi commilitoni....lo avrei abbracciato. Che quei poveretti che non ce l'hanno fatta riposino in pace......

[@ericcriteser4001]

Very well done. Thanks for sharing.

[@xvsj-s2x]

Fascinating Discovery , RIP

[@forrestreed9350]

The grit, perseverance, and bravery of these submariners, both allied and axis is utterly and almost incomparably amazing

[@forrestreed9350]

@@benjaminlhargrave I fail to see how this is my problem.

[@Andi845]

Brave sailors! Did their duty to the end!

[@styldsteel1]

As an American I feel so sorry for the men on both sides. They were how old? 18, 19, 20 years old? manning these behemoths.? Not really even knowing why? Listening to WW2 Veterans on both sides, their stories are basically the same. We just did what we were told to do. Sad.

[@seektruth3307]

How heartbreaking that would be to go to where so many you were so close to were lost. They may have been fighting for a bad cause but they were just sailors doing the job every sailor has to do to survive a war.

[@tonymartin346]

This is an excellent war story

[@mikeevans7381]

I just love history these men we're doing what they were ordered to do. Even though they're the enemy I still have respect for what they went through. A very sad time indeed.💯🇺🇸

[@fortressgothika]

You are alive during world war II?

[@johnsathe2429]

They WERE the enemy. Not are...

[@mrcarlo1966]

An excellent documentary.

[@timmotel5804]

Excellent. So very well presented and educational. Good that old enemies can be friends. So sad that humanity so often resorts to wars. In peace, we all have so much to offer each other. May all those lost at sea rest in peace. May survivors find peace in their lives. Thank You

[@Sym3tric]

amazing to here what the actual crew members of the uboat thought about the sinking british workman

[@doomhippie6673]

Yes. I was surprised. But in a good way. Having empathy for your fellow human beings is what makes us good people.

[@KathrynLiz1]

Poor Gerhard.... to see the final resting place of his best friend at the bottom of the sea....h is tears said much... and I shed a few too....

[@mprest10]

“Two destroyed warships….” They were defenseless merchant ships.

[@fortressgothika]

Yeah like you were there in real life making the judgement call. Gtfoh

[@BasementEngineer]

Allied merchant ships were armed during WWII. That was Churchill's brilliant idea. Before this arming, German war ships would take on the crews and passengers from allied ships to be sunk.

[@roselightinstorms727]

Touching. You all have honor and Congrats for surviving❤

[@riprapter6322]

I tip my hat to all Submariners, and I thank them for their bravery on the job in peacetime or in war. I was on a Heavy Jet Flight Crew in the USAF, but there is no way in hell you could hog-tie me and force me to crew a submarine. I knew some sub-crewmen when I was stationed at Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina. There was and is a large sub-base and ship base there also. I remember seeing Subs go up and down one of the rivers in town to get to the Navy base. These were some extremely brave men in my book. When they went to sea, they were gone a long time. They said they ate very well and studied all the time, plus their duty. When they came back, they were so damned glad to be on land again and see girlfriends and or family, they partied like crazy men. Well, the guys I knew did, can't speak for them all. A sub-officer lived in the apartment above mine off base, but I did not know him other than in passing. I was an enlisted Loadmaster and he was a Submarine officer. I do not know what his job was. The enlisted navy I met when I was Stateside after missions were party animals, we all were to some extent. I was usually never away from the U.S. more than 9 days, usually less. Well, evacuating Nam was three weeks, one time. We went back and forth, but 3 months on a sub would have made me crazy even if you could have chained me inside the sub to start with. I had rather fall 8 miles (12.87 kilometers) than sink 2 feet (0.61 meters) in the ocean. The seas and the oceans are a hell of a lot deeper than that. God bless the men that died in that long-ago war; the men on both sides. Wars are started by old political fools and fought by the young men, in which the politicians and rich do not risk their lives.

[@patzke]

I served on 2 US Navy submarines starting as a 19 year old. It wasn’t a life for everyone and looking back on it now 50+ years later I have a hard time believing I actually did it.

[@madeleinereed6460]

Nice to see a USAF weapons veteran in the comments! What jet were you on? I (born 1991) was stationed at Barksdale from 2010-2012 . I'm sure the AF had changed significantly since Nam. Thank you guys for your service...yall are the type of folks (and with the tragedy of 911) are what inspired me to join the military.

[@WendyDarling1974]

Amazing documentary. I really enjoyed seeing the experts from different countries and different disciplines working together. My favorite part was the way that they connected with U-boat veterans. That last scene with the elderly veteran in the submersible is something I won’t forget.

[@stantaylor3350]

I'm finding it hard to believe they are actually at 400 ft, because some local divers from Marquette MI did a dive on a sunken freighter in Lake Superior in 1982. The wreck was at 225 to 250 ft and it was black as night. The voice over said, if you are wondering why the film goes from light to dark over and over, it was because they had to use large battery operated lights and it would drain the batteries very fast. They could only spend 15 minutes at a time on the wreck. The decompression stage took a lot of air time up. They could make 2 dives a day. The documentary is called, The Osborne Incident. IDK if it's on U tube but the local PBS station aired it. WNMU TV MARQUETTE

[@markanthony7479]

AMAZING video... I cant believe the actual submariners were alive to be in the video... Historic and moving... thankyou for the History Lesson

[@markbowles2382]

WHAT a story.... you know they still havent found u-47 or the polish (dutch built) sub "Orzel", but its only a matter of time with the way that they are scouring the seabed with sonar/gps - just a matter of time and money - RIP to all the brave servicemen and their freinds and family who paid such a price and sufferred so much in that terrible conflict.

[@malcomlovejoy]

Hope to hear that The Surcouf is found

[@greyjay9202]

The German submarine service during the war, took the highest percentage of casualties of any branch of the German armed forces. Churchill remarked that two things really frightened him, during the course of the war: The type 7-C U boat, and the 88 millimeter all purpose field gun.

[@railfansteam7716]

I could not listen to more than 10 minutes of the voice overs as the background voice levels were so high that it was a jumble of words. The sound mixing here was of poor quality work. Also when the narrator said "The first missiles were loaded into the torpedo tubes", well I lost it. Then later is says "A cruiser ships launches an underwater grenade attack". U-Boats firing 'missiles', cruiser ships launching 'grenades'? Who wrote the narrative?

[@jeannieheard1465]

Your last sentence is what I posted (above) not more that 5 minutes ago. I noticed the same words. Made me cringe.

[@philipbaker2343]

Brilliant documentary!

[@terrisomers7843]

"There but for the grace of God..." Excellent video, albeit a sad ending. I never knew the statistics on the U-boat crews before. I took a tour of the diesel electric WWII sub the USS Ling many years ago in NJ. I'm 5'8" tall, and I had a hard time standing up straight in quite a few places. The thought of being underwater in that boat at depths that could crush it like a soda can was almost overwhelmingly claustrophobic. God bless all the submariners; they are a breed apart. 💕👍

[@riprapter6322]

Flight crews in WW 2 were good as gone. The stats on them surviving more than 25 sorties/missions was very bad. See move about “The Memphis Belle”. I went on more sorties than that in two or three weeks sometimes. But we flew much better craft and for more hours and more different stops on one mission. They went and dropped bombs and if lucky came straight back to do it again the next day. See the Jimmy Stewart movie, “The Strategic Air Command” that was after WW 2.

[@Bullseye1280]

love a story with a happy ending... Had an uncle in the merchant marine killed in the Atlantic in ww2...

[@echohunter4199]

We have to remember that Germany, a small country had made a small fleet of excellent subs and manned them with intelligent, well trained men and did amazingly well in their assigned missions. We’re just fortunate that they didn’t have twice the number of U boats, things would’ve been a lot worse. Thank God they didn’t have many Type 21’s!

[@joserodriguez-tf2et]

When ever I buy something and it say made in Germany, I know I am getting the best.

[@scotmandel6699]

especially at the beginning of the war when there was little or no opposition to their patrols.

[@cesarefiderio1634]

Documentario molto istruttivo, con immagini altamente interessanti! Questo ci fa capire tutto quel tempo di STORIA, che si è ATTRAVERSATA!!!

[@bobbyb.6644]

600 + U Boats Lost -I think most haven’t been found ? They are war graves unless they were just scuttled empty ? 🤔

[@ErichZornerzfun]

No most have been found, Uboat net lists 46 boats from ww2 whose fates are still unknown and a handful from ww1 as well.

[@petewarrell3734]

Thay build 2000

[@michellegable3191]

Beautiful story and sad history.

[@goodstufffromdavidpaul2246]

I worked in a German cabinet shop when the film "Das Boot" came out. The comment from many of them was: "If you want to see what it was really like for us this the film"

[@xtr3m3fLx]

That ending, right in the feels man. At the end of the day, we're all Humans. The world would do better to remember this.

[@Irish_For_Life1842]

If the aft end of the sub is blown off it is a good bet it is not "Perfectly Preserved."

[@zackadamec9332]

How crazy that experience must've been for the guy that went served on it to go down there and see if after all those years not knowing where it went and knowing he was just feet away from his best friend that he never seen again.

[@thermalreboot]

A failed attempt to pass through Gibraltar is portrayed in Das Boot.

[@sabrekai8706]

My dad was 3rd watch officer on U-969 in the Med. According to him getting in was chancy. But getting out? Not a chance. The boat couldn't power through the straight. Not enough capacity in the batteries to fight the current long enough to get clear.

[@jeannieheard1465]

It was not a failed attempt.

[@belltolls1984]

Thank you so much for this upload! I have been trying to find the documentary for over 6 years, could never figure out what submarine it was and the name.

[@JasonMcCord-qk3yb]

Those poor sailors. It’s always sad to see a U-boat wreck, keeping in mind that it’s not only a wreck, but a mass grave, as well. It looks like outer hatch on the conning tower is open. I can only think of two reasons it would be open: 1. She was running on the surface when she struck the mine and sank. (This scenario seems most likely.) 2. There were men left alive, and tried to use the conning tower chamber to escape. If there were a way to check the inner hatch to see if it is closed or not. If it’s closed, then this is the likely scenario. 400 feet would be a pretty tough swim without fins, to avoid drowning. Much respect for these brave sailors who were serving their country.

[@taras3702]

A third possibility is something blew the hatch open from the inside. The water it sank in was not deep enough for the U-455 to have reached crush depth but something exploding aboard the boat could have blown it open, or air trapped in the wreck did.

[@leonhardtkristensen4093]

I was in a Danish submarine in the late 1960's. The ones I was in where modelled on the German WW2 sub's but more modern. We had a snorkel so we could run our diesels at about 12 meters depth. This video was very interesting to me as I experienced an unintended sinking to the bottom of the sea. It took probably not even a minute to sink from 12 meter to about 70 meters which by luck was the depth at that spot. We got about 10 ton's of water into the front and it then just pointed down. At the bottom there where about 10 meters difference at the depth meters from one end to the other. If the sea had been much deeper I would not be here now as our sub could at the most handle a couple of hundred meters without imploding. Every time I hear about a sunk submarine I get a funny feeling in my body and I get the memories back. I was only a submariner for about a year as I was drafted and only had to serve 17 months in total. I was however tempted to stay on as professional but I decided to study electronic engineering instead. We where trained to swim to the surface from a sunken sub. I have done it in a tank from 20meter depth. We where told that it would be possible from probably 100 meters if we did it correctly. It was supposedly found that unconscious German sub sailors came to the surface alive when their sub's was sunk. In any case it wasn't my time to die and it hasn't been so far although a few accidents could have done it over the years.

[@stevenclark6662]

That last statistic was stunning... the greatest killer of Germans, was their own subs.. incredible

[@bloodybones63]

Surely the Russian army killed more than 30,000 Germans.

[@flybywire5866]

My late dad (born 1932) was in a church choir. Another member of this choir was a bit older than him and served on the german submarines. The story he had to tell and which my dad always remembered was, they were on patrol in the Atlantic, bad weather. They wanted to relieve the lookout crew on the conning tower. There was no one on the tower. That was the thing the crew member remembered decades later.