- 4 months ago
The German submarine U-47, under the command of Kapitänleutnant Günther Prien, is famous for its audacious raid on the British fleet anchorage at Scapa Flow on October 14, 1939. U-47 penetrated the defenses of the heavily fortified anchorage, fired torpedoes, and sank the Royal Navy battleship HMS Royal Oak, killing 833 sailors. The successful raid was a major propaganda victory for Nazi Germany.
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Short filmTranscript
00:00Aroha! Aroha! Aroha!
00:11Take the young and hot in white
00:16Through the deep blue and beneath the ocean
00:20We'll control the ocean's wide
00:24From down, down, underneath the sea
00:30I'm Rear Admiral Thomas M. Dyker, retired
00:33The story you're about to see concerns an achievement
00:36Which may never again be duplicated
00:38To hear this story, we will go to the submarine school at New London
00:42And sit in with the officer's students
00:44Training for duty in the silent service
00:50The training given to you here in New London
00:52Has been thorough, up to the minute and exact
00:56Head books, head lectures, solve problems and practice theory
01:01Further application of what you've learned will come in due time
01:05However, I should like to warn you
01:08That the most valuable asset as a submariner
01:11Does not necessarily come from these classrooms
01:15Whatever your academic or intellectual capacity may be
01:19Nothing can take the place of your own ingenuity
01:23That ingenuity is the greatest factor in the success of a commanding officer
01:27It was demonstrated to a high degree by our own skippers during the war
01:31And also by the enemies
01:33I should like to choose an example to illustrate the point
01:37An enemy example
01:39His name was Gunter Preen
01:41Captain of the U-47
01:43German Craig's Marina
01:45When war started on 3 September 1939
01:49Preen was already an experienced skipper
01:52And a favorite of Commodore Dernitz
01:54Commander of the U-boat fleet
01:56Dernitz wasted no time in activating his pet plan
01:59To strike a crippling blow against the British Navy
02:02On 8 September
02:04Preen was called in and offered the assignment
02:07Called for a man whose seamanship and self-control was above question
02:11Preen qualified in every respect
02:15The duty was dangerous
02:17Preen was to take the U-47 into the home base of the British fleet at Scapa Flow
02:22And wreak destruction on the ships anchored there
02:25It was not a new plan
02:27During World War I
02:29Two U-boats had been destroyed attempting the same mission
02:32The second boat had been manned entirely by officers
02:35Also of importance to Dernitz was the fact that in 1919
02:39The sailors of the German Navy scuttled their ships in Scapa Flow
02:43Rather than turn them over to the British
02:45Now what you said to it Lieutenant
02:48I am honored that you have chosen me Herr Admiral
02:51Here are the two entrances used by the British
02:56Here we once failed because of suffering nets
02:59And here we failed because it was too closely guarded
03:03Both conditions remain
03:05All other channels are blocked by sunken ships
03:09Except this one at Kirk Sound
03:13Now intelligence has learned that only two block ships are sunk here
03:18And between them is space enough for one U-boat to pass
03:22More space is not needed sir
03:24Another block ship sunk in the channel
03:26And our plan is finished
03:28I need not tell you the importance of your success
03:33You will make Scapa Flow the graveyard for the British
03:36That it was for us in 1919
03:39In the weeks that followed Dernitz and Preen carefully studied air reconnaissance
03:48Navigation data and tide charts
03:50Preen's biggest problem would be the high and fast running tide
03:54Which flowed at speeds up to 10 knots
03:56And was capable of dashing any ship against the rocks
03:59With this tide behind him he would have to pass between the two block ships
04:03On his return he would have to buck the tide with the U-boat's top speed of 16 knots
04:08Dernitz decided that the new attempt would be made when the new moon affording complete darkness
04:15Coincided with suitable tides
04:17Both these conditions would be fulfilled on the night of October 13
04:21On 9 October the customary send off was given the U-47
04:26As far as the crew and their families were concerned
04:29It was a routine patrol
04:46Nothing had been left to chance
04:48Air reconnaissance over Scapa Flow was doubled
04:51Agents in England reported every movement of the British fleet
04:55Only a handful of high officers and Hitler himself knew of Preen's destination
05:01The U-47 was escorted out of the harbour
05:04And after receiving the customary well-wishing signals from her escort
05:08Submerged to begin the four-day voyage northward
05:11Preen found his path in the North Sea clear of British ships
05:24And made his run without contact until three days later
05:27What appeared to be an innocent looking sailing vessel crossed his bow
05:33Respecting that his periscope had been sighted Preen serviced to investigate
05:39Preen had to know the nature of this craft
05:43The British had put into operation a fleet of radio thicket ships to signal the course and location of enemy submarines
06:11Preen could take no chance
06:31After destroying the bigger ships Preen changed his course westward
06:46If the radio message had been received by the British
06:49Patrol planes would be out looking for him
06:51On October 12, Preen received word from German intelligence
06:53On October 12, Preen received word from German intelligence
06:55that an aircraft carrier, several battleships, ten cruisers, and many soldiers
06:57And many small warships lay at anchor in the sea
06:59On October 12, Preen received word from German intelligence
07:04that an aircraft carrier, several battleships, ten cruisers, and many small warships lay at anchor in Scapa Flow
07:11On October 12, Preen received word from German intelligence
07:18On October 12, Preen received word from German intelligence
07:21that an aircraft carrier, several battleships, ten cruisers, and many small warships lay at anchor in Scapa Flow
07:32Good news, Captain
07:34Good news, Captain
07:35Very good, Heinz
07:36You may as well know where we are headed
07:42But I don't understand, Captain
07:44The speed of these warships is far beyond us
07:47We are not waiting for them outside the harbour
07:53You mean, uh...
07:54But, Captain...
07:55Intelligence has found us away, Heinz
08:01Why don't you tell the men, sir?
08:02They would be as excited as I am
08:04That is why I'm not telling them until tomorrow night
08:06The excitement must be fresh
08:08It gives them less time to consider the danger
08:11On the morning of 13 October
08:13The U-47 cruised in Bethlen Firth, 50 miles from Scapa Flow
08:18The battery recharge had just been completed
08:20and trouble suddenly zoomed down from the sky
08:25Three British planes attacked before Preen could submerge
08:50By a phase of action, Preen maneuvered out of danger
08:53and continued to submerge toward the pole
08:55That afternoon, Preen bottomed and waited for nightfall
09:12The crew had been briefed and awaited the task before them
09:15The precise and careful preparations had only to be executed
09:19But he knew that between conception and execution
09:24lay the bones of many a U-boat
09:31It's soon dark enough to surface, Capitaine
09:33Plenty of time, Heinz
09:35When will I be going in, sir?
09:37After midnight
09:38Our chances will be better then
09:40Heinz, you will soon have your own command
09:43Tell me
09:45With a tide of seven to eight knots behind you
09:47What speed would you make?
09:49Four
09:50And maybe five knots
09:51Why?
09:52To keep control of the boat
09:53Good
09:54And if you hit an obstruction?
09:56Well
09:58To back off
09:59That's out of the question
10:00I'd lose control
10:02He knocked sideways against it
10:04I'd swing rudder hard over
10:07And speed up if necessary
10:09Exactly
10:10And hope you would skirt the obstruction
10:12Because when you hit it
10:13The damage is already done
10:15The most difficult situation at best, sir, Capitaine
10:18Well, let us hope we do not have to face it
10:20But you said intelligence gave us the way
10:23Heinz, if there's one thing I live by
10:25It is never to trust the intelligence of others
10:28At least not without the suspicion that they may be wrong
10:31Yes, sir
10:32Now according to our information
10:34The block ships are sunk in shallow water
10:36You will tell your lookouts to watch for surface turbulence
10:39Yes, sir, Capitaine
10:41All right
10:43Now let us study this chart
10:45So we can find the opening without having to back down
10:55When the U-47 serviced later that night
10:58Green received his first surprise
11:02Why is it so bright?
11:08It's almost like day
11:10The Aurora Borealis
11:12Naturally overlooked by our intelligence
11:15We can't go in here now
11:18We can't help but see us
11:20It heightens our risk
11:22Perhaps tomorrow night, sir
11:24Will you tell the heavens not to shine on us?
11:27But, Capitaine
11:31The brilliance of the Borealis
11:33Changes from night to night
11:35Yes
11:36And tomorrow it may be even brighter
11:39What's more, the British fleet
11:41Will not wait on anchor for our convenience
11:45Then we are going in?
11:47Yes
11:48Pass the word to be doubly watchful
11:53Yes, Capitaine
11:54Right 10
11:55Right 10
11:56Right 10
12:09East to 5
12:10East to 5
12:11Hard left rudder
12:12Hard left rudder
12:13Hard left rudder
12:14With violent alterations of course
12:19Preen steered the U-47
12:21Fully surfaced through the narrow channel of Kirk Sound
12:24It was just past low water
12:26The tide was flowing strongly back inshore
12:29The boat grazed one of the block ships
12:31But escaped without damage
12:33Inside the pole, Preen crept slowly toward the main anchorage
12:38The second surprise awaited him
12:45Empty
12:46Of all the bad luck
12:48The fleet has moved out
12:50We will try to north side
12:53Left pull
12:55Left pull, Herr Capitaine
12:56One of the battleships
13:09Behind her I think a cruiser
13:11Take over, Heinz
13:21Preen identified the battleship as the Royal Oak
13:23The ship he took to be the Repulse
13:26Was actually the obsolescent aircraft carrier Pegasus
13:30Because the battleship was anchored alongside the carrier
13:33He decided to sink it first
13:35Should one of his torpedoes miss
13:37It would find its mark in the other ship
13:49The U-47 moved into firing position
13:51Under the nose of a patrolling destroyer
13:53In spite of the northern lights
13:55He was able to remain undetected
13:59I think he is turning south
14:01They won't suspect us until we fire
14:04For the moment we are one of them
14:06All torpedoes ready, Herr Capitaine
14:08Very well, stand by
14:102,000 yards and a calm sea
14:13It's like training exercise, Herr Capitaine
14:15With only one different type
14:18Our target is the Royal Oak
14:24Fire one
14:30Fire two
14:34The entire loading of five torpedoes
14:36Four forward and one out
14:37Was loosed at the Royal Oak
14:40Preen and his crew waited impatiently
14:42Finally one explosion was heard
14:46And they saw the Royal Oak shudder with the impact
14:49One out of five
14:51Of all the luck
14:53Hit in the stern
14:55The others must have passed under
14:58All ahead, foe
15:00Right rudder
15:02Reload tubes
15:04Green headed for Kirk Sound
15:05Ready to run for the open sea
15:06After reaching the middle of Scatterflow
15:07He changed his mind
15:08I see no reactions
15:09No lights or warning
15:10Maybe they think it's an internal explosion
15:12All engines stop
15:14We make another attack
15:16Depends on what happens
15:17Depends on what happens
15:18But Capitaine it's so bright
15:19Shouldn't we submerge while reloading
15:20No
15:21No
15:22No
15:23No
15:24No
15:25No
15:26No
15:27No
15:28No
15:29No
15:30No
15:31No
15:32No
15:33No
15:34No
15:35No
15:36No
15:37No
15:38No
15:39No
15:40No
15:41No
15:42No
15:43No
15:44If we have to run for it
15:45we must be ready
15:46Go below
15:47and tell Harlan to set torpedo depth at 0 feet
15:50See how things are going
15:52All right Capitaine
15:55Tell him to hurry
15:56Tell him to hurry
16:08Fast time for reloading in a U-boat is 20 minutes
16:11Trina trained his men to equal this time, but sitting in the middle of Scapa Flow, it seemed like an eternity.
16:24Nearly ready, Capitaine.
16:26Heiner said the gyroscope and depth setting on the torpedoes was exactly alike.
16:30The Exploders must have been detected.
16:33How many more rotten eggs in our basket? That's what worries me.
16:35We can't know until we fire them.
16:37A brilliant observation, Heinz. I wouldn't have thought of it myself.
16:40Rightful rudder.
16:46Rightful rudder. Half speed. Half speed.
16:50I'm going in closer. Double-check each torpedo crystalline.
17:03Preen had two reasons to go in closer.
17:05The first was to shorten the distance of the torpedo run
17:08and minimize the action of the current on the torpedoes.
17:11The second was to take advantage of the shadows thrown by the surrounding hills.
17:14The U-boat silhouette would merge into the background and make detection more difficult.
17:20It seems they have decided it was not an internal explosion.
17:27They search for aircraft, Capitaine.
17:30Of course.
17:31Scapa Flow is impregnable to U-boat attack.
17:33They know that.
17:34They know that.
17:42Fire one.
17:47Fire two.
17:51Firing at point blank range,
17:53Freen loosed his salvo with the Royal Oak.
17:55The battleship was literally blown into the air.
18:14The British defences quickly marshaled against what now could be either an air or U-boat attack.
18:29Destroyers sped to the channels to cut off the unseen enemy.
18:33There was still no proof that he existed, and Freen knew it.
18:36At flank speed, the U-47 could only make seven knots over the ground against the onrushing tide.
18:45Her wake foamed like a finger of death.
18:47But at Freen cut speed, he would stand still in the current.
18:51British undersea gear probed vainly for the enemy they thought would be submerged if he existed at all.
18:56The destroyer headed for Kirkstown, Jack Capitaine.
19:07Hugging the shoreline was almost Freen's undoing.
19:22You saw us, Jack Capitaine.
19:23We take the chance he doesn't know. You vote from a British submarine.
19:27Freen's decision was the right one.
19:30Any change in tactics would have made him vulnerable to the searchers.
19:34Freen's success and failure now cruised a lone British destroyer.
19:38In order to enter the channel, Freen had to vacate the protection of the shore.
19:43Stiff with tension, the bridge watch stared toward the oncoming destroyer.
19:48It looked like the end.
19:50With their backs to the shore and only one way out,
19:53Freen could have submerged to avoid visual detection by the destroyer
19:57and made his surface run out later.
19:59But submerged, he ran the substantial risk of being picked up on the destroyer's ASDIC sound gear.
20:05Freen decided to play out his hand and remain surfaced.
20:08We could only read their signals.
20:19If they've seen us, they won't attack without verification.
20:22A U-boat for a battleship.
20:26We still win, our Capitaine.
20:28Freen considered changing course to move back to the shadows of the shore.
20:33But any change in the line of his wake would be sure to bring attention from lookouts on the destroyer.
20:38It was just possible that his wake was being taken for the swirling eddies dashing through the narrow passes.
20:44When it seemed impossible for the destroyer to miss discovery of the U-boat,
20:49it suddenly turned away and sped in the opposite direction.
20:53How can we fail, Heinz, with enemies such as these?
20:55The destroyer gone for the moment, Freen turned to the tortuous business of getting back out the narrow channel,
21:05this time against the swift running tide.
21:09His luck held. He made his escape unharmed and undetected.
21:13The U-47 returned to Germany to receive the acclaim and awards that were just be heard.
21:19The British chivalrously recognized the skill and daring of Freen's actions.
21:25For the following year and a half, Freen and the U-47 paid havoc with British shipping,
21:44sinking a total of 245,000 tons by 9 March 1941.
21:49she became guests of Frankie Porter.
21:52In the middle of 19-2015 book, that's a Oops.
21:55tברים lips of the ship in French and math.
21:58The bunker is very difficult to reflect on the entire building of Freen't- Epic followers.
22:01Why U-47 hadn't moved male.
22:02The grup was but...
22:05Marcel O indeed told Benjamin speaking of the france...
22:08Como me Is-lia is was not Mo.
22:10Then I came away.
22:11Eric Burroonda is long basically until like a few months here used with a row.
22:13The bunker was outp STOP four hours žeets.
22:14Fuck!
22:16The bunker was overproductive.
22:17On 10 March, Cream crossed the path of a convoy south of Iceland and drove in for the kill.
22:44Before he could fire his torpedoes, he was sighted by HMS Wolverine.
22:52The improved anti-submarine tactics of the British were just being felt, and their sting was deadly.
23:01Cream turned to run. If he stayed on the surface, he might have succeeded.
23:14On 10 March, 1941, the U-47 was destroyed by HMS Wolverine. There were no survivors.
23:30We will never know what part Cream's contempt for the enemy played in making his fatal mistake.
23:36One thing is certain. Ingenuity feeds on danger. And the proper awareness of danger can only come from a proper respect for your enemy.
23:48I'll be back in a moment.
23:55There are a couple of interesting footnotes to the story you've just seen.
23:59On the day before U-47 made its successful entry into Scapa Flow, the British were in the process of towing an old vessel from London to close the gap in Kirk Sound.
24:09For several weeks previous, the Admiralty had desired to move this additional block ship.
24:14The only thing that delayed it was negotiation over the price of the ship.
24:18The week of March 10, 1941, was a bitter one for the Germans.
24:23Preen was only one of three U-boat aces who met his fate at the hands of the same group of anti-submarine vessels.
24:30Sunk on March 16 was U-100, commanded by Captain Joachim Shepka, with 230,000 tons of shipping to his credit.
24:39A few hours later, U-99, commanded by Captain Otto Kretschmer, top man with 282,000 tons, was destroyed and Captain Kretschmer then taken prisoner along with most of his crew.
24:52Be with us again when we will bring you another true story from the history of the Silent Set.
24:57The National Anthem
24:58The National Anthem
25:00We'll control the ocean wide.
25:04They can mount and lock in line
25:08To the deep blue underneath the ocean
25:12We'll control the ocean wide
25:16From down, down underneath the sea
25:20Satan's hope will pass the word
25:25In the future's yet to be
25:29That we'll say, as long as there's
25:33A submarine are underneath the sea
25:38So rig for dive and take the gun
25:41Down, down, go down, down, come beneath the ocean
25:46Fill the mud for my crown
25:50In the deep blue country beneath the sea
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