leon21 Posted October 16, 2011 Share Posted October 16, 2011 The Mystery of U-534. Came across this story while I was looking into the history of the U-Flak Boats. On May 5th 1945 for unknown reasons,the kaptain of U-534 ignored the order to surrender, issued to all U-Boats by Admiral Donitz. To this day mystery still surrounds U-534's refusal to surrender, instead she set sail for Norway. U-534 was sailing on the surface of the Kattegat displaying no surrender flag, together with three other U- Boats . they were attacked by Liberater Aircraft, U-534 received a direct hit,she began to take on water as a result of damage to her aft section by the engine rooms, and sank north east of Anolt. The crew were rescued along with her Kaptain who it is reported commited suicide shortly afterwards. It was suggested that it was carrying a top Nazi Official, or Gold destined for South America. One explanation for U-534's refusal to surrender lies in the discovery of three experimental T11 torpedoes found in her aft section. Only 38 of this type were made, unique in that they had acoustic homing systems, which were developed as a countermeasure to the British Foxer Decoy system. While it's not known why U-534 was carrying such advanced weapons, it does offer a possible explanation for her kaptains refusal to surrender. She was raised later from the sea bed, ( again why was she chosen to be raised from the deep). She was taken to liverpool and put on public display on Birkenhead Docks. She was there for many years, not sure were she is at presant still in liverpool somewere.................Here's a few pics of the U-boat and items found inside. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAF635SQ Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 She was cut into 5 sections so that she was a museum that you could look in to. The whole reason I believe was for wheel chair access. I went to see her before she was cut into 5 pieces, I personally although it was for a good cause etc do not agree with it and they have cut up an irreplaceable bit of history. To make matters worse it is the only one of its type left in the world that is on land. The type in question is a Type IXC/40, one of the largest of any German u-boats built in WW2. She was found by a Danish wreckage finder and due to the nature of what she was and how rare her load and possibly even her type, she was raised to the surface, as well as all that there was the rumour of Nazi gold being on-board. She was found in amazing condition for a ship that had been under the sea for so long. it was not a war grave as most the crew escaped and so permission to raise her was not as painful as it could of been. I think it was a year before it was cut into the 5 pieces when i made the long trip to Liverpool just to see it, it must be one of the most amazing and best trips I have made in my life. Due to the nature of were it was you could actually get into were she was and I am one of the few who can say they have touched her when she was complete. Photos cant say how massive it actually was, it was huge. I have some oil from the diesel engines in my U-boat collection as well as many other items found on the boat itself. The ship was purchased by a now closed museum (Were it was before being cut up) for the sum of £1 if I am correct!!! From then on she was sold to the Merseyside ferry company of whom I personally hold the blame for cutting her up. I refuse to visit her ever again simply because of what they have done to her, it is a disgrace. And to add to this they charge an amazing amount of money to visit the museum! It is an utter disgrace and i still want to attempt to save her from it one day. The price is something like £15 for 2 adults and 2 kids... Sorry for my little rant at the end but it still upsets me being quite a U-boat enthusiast that this happened to her. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leon21 Posted October 19, 2011 Author Share Posted October 19, 2011 Yes a great shame, never knew she was there I'd have love'd to seen her in one piece. Been to Liverpool a few times when I lived in the Manchester area. You might be able to help with this picture, I think it's of a Electroboat type XX1 do you know were it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STUKA STEVE Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Yes awful that they cut it up,Richard was there at the weekend and said it was quite impressive.£15 quid for two adults and two kids i have to say is well cheap by todays prices at museums and visitor attractions.Id like take a wee trip down and see her only a few hours from Glasgow. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAF635SQ Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Yes a great shame, never knew she was there I'd have love'd to seen her in one piece. Been to Liverpool a few times when I lived in the Manchester area. You might be able to help with this picture, I think it's of a Electroboat type XX1 do you know were it is. This one is in Germany, She currently rests at the German Maritime Museum in Bremerhaven. Her wartime number was the U-2540. She is the only WW2 U-boat in the entire world that is still floating. I will hopefully be making a trip to Germany soon to see this U-boat and the famous U-995 And yeah i do suppose £15 is cheap these days, I don't really want to think how much it will cost for a train journey now though from Kent to Liverpool, it was 2008 when I last went 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leon21 Posted October 19, 2011 Author Share Posted October 19, 2011 Thanks for the info RAF, I believe U-2511 was the only type XX1 ever to conduct a war patrol. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAF635SQ Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 It certainly was, U-3008 also did start a patrol so there was two But that is not to say these things did just official patrols, U534 was sunk with two of these types escorting her, they both dived as they are faster before they could be hit. It is unknown what numbers the ones escorting U534 were though. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STUKA STEVE Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Yeah your right there RAF longer train journeys are very expensive these days,and petrol beyond a joke 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny Andrew Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 some people think giving their items to museums is a good idea but it's not always the case.unless you work in the museum 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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