Operation Deadlight was the code name for the scuttling of the unwanted German U-boats which the allies got their hands on after the end of World War Two (WWII). Most of these (if not all) operations took place from Lisahally, Northern Ireland or Loch Ryan, Scotland. About 121 German U-boats were scuttled during the fall and and winter of 1945-1946 out of Ireland. http://uboat.net/fates/deadlight_hist.htm Some known locations The diving journal of Innes McCartney on the subs: Operation Deadlight Expedition I and II: http://uboat.net/articles/index.html?article=43
Good get Kai, thanx for the info.heres some info on recent developments of recovering operation deadlight U-boats if anyones interested. Among the U-boats sunk during Operation Deadlight are some of the most famous U-boats of the Second World War which were captained by some of the greatest commanders. Phase I of the expedition, which took place in July 2001, based aboard MV Salutay, resulted in some stunning underwater images and video footage of some of the wrecks. Of particular note was the location and identification of U2511 - a revolutionary Type XXI 'electro' U-boat. The Type XXI has been called the world?s first true submarine because it was designed to operate entirely underwater. Earlier U-boat designs should perhaps be more correctly described as 'submersibles', as they were reliant on frequent returns to the surface for battery charging and ventilation. The Type XXI was introduced into service in 1945, but many unresolved technical problems prevented it from reaching its true potential. [Conning tower, taken from ROV] Conning tower, taken from ROV [Adelbert Schnee, commander of U-2511] Adelbert Schnee, commander of U-2511 U-2511 was captained by Adelbert Schnee, and was the only Type XXI U-boat to sail against the Allies. Horst von Schroter?s U-2506, another Type XXI, will be a key target for Phase II of the expedition. The successful U-155, a Type IXC which was captained between 1941 and 1944 by Adolf Piening, was located and filmed by the expedition in 2001. Piening was responsible for the sinking of 26 ships including the British carrier 'Avenger'. Jurgen Oesten?s cargo U-boat U-861, and Heinrich Schroteler?s U-1023 are targets for 2002. U-1023 was the last German U-boat to sink an Allied warship: Schroteler torpedoed the British minesweeper NYMS 382, before surrendering at Portland six days later. These vessels represent the wide ranging activities of U-boats in World War Two and each has an interesting service history. Logistics [MV Salutay] The expedition boat MV Salutay is a 59 foot motor yacht, well equiped for technical diving. She carries two compressors, a Haskel booster pump and the necessary supplies of oxygen and helium, and is fitted with Vosper stabilisers to help cope with choppy conditions. The diving depths will be in the 75m range and diving will be done using both open-circuit and closed-circuit trimix. Based aboard the Salutay, the team hope to be able to range widely across the Operation Deadlight area. The seas north of Malin Head have little or no tide so the dive team will be able to use a ROV to look at three or four submarines each day, before they deciding on which one they wish to dive. [Positions of Operation Deadlight U-boats] Approximate positions of the Operation Deadlight U-Boats The Ministry of Defense and the UK Hydrographics Office have been fully informed of the expedition's plans and objectives. If anyone wants more information you can go to www.operationdeadlight.co.uk/
Hatch, Dead right. Same was planned for the remains of the German High Seas Fleet in Scapa Flow, but I think both plans were well and truly scuppered! Regards, gordon
