U-47 Photograph Album
Section X (November 1940, Atlantic Ocean - during 9th patrol)
X01. During the 9th patrol, Atlantic Ocean
U-47 ploughs through the waves during stormy weather. This photo is reminiscent of the photos Lothar-Günther Buchheim took when he was a guest on U-96's 7th patrol at the end of 1941. Buchheim's task had been exactly the same as that which Frank undertook in November 1940. His stunning photos of U-96 ploughing through an Atlantic storm were published in his book U-Boat War.
Buchheim's experiences during this time were the basis of his novel Das Boot, and the subsequent film of the same name. The film provides a far more realistic glimpse into life aboard a Kriegsmarine U-boat than the historically inaccurate nonsense which has emanated from Hollywood. (Grieft, Enemy, Stier)
View Photograph: X01. During the 9th patrol, Atlantic Ocean
X02. During the 9th patrol, Atlantic Ocean
U-47 ploughs through an Atlantic storm, her decks awash with the cruel sea. The wire wrapped around the 88mm, and dangling slightly, is a lanyard connected to the tompion. To the right is the starboard breakwater, which helped to prevent water from splashing over the crew operating the 88mm deck gun. In seas such as these, however, they were powerless to stop the waves crashing over the wooden decks. (Greift, Enemy)
View Photograph: X02. During the 9th patrol, Atlantic Ocean
X03. During the 9th patrol, Atlantic Ocean
The tip of the attack periscope head can just be seen popping its head out of the housing. Just in front is one of the two magnetic compasses. The other is at the front left-hand side of the tower bulwark. (Greift, Enemy, Stier)
View Photograph:X04. During the 9th patrol, Atlantic Ocean
X04. During the 9th patrol, Atlantic Ocean
In U01 and U02 the large waterproof rangefinding binoculars and the detachable part upon which they were mounted are plainly visible upon the UZO. In this photo the binoculars and mount are not present, having been detached from the UZO column and kept inside the boat. What can be seen at the top of the UZO column (which is behind the attack periscope housing) are the black azimuth ring and the unpainted bronze compass heading ring.
The bendy wire to the rear of the attack periscope housing is very clear in this photo, as is the tip of the attack periscope head. (Greift, Stier)
View Photograph: X04. During the 9th patrol, Atlantic Ocean
X05. During the 9th patrol, Atlantic Ocean
A youthful looking Matrosen Obergefreiter (Leading Seaman) Meier stands over the 20mm Flak gun, while the crewmen to the right attempt to clear a jam. The anti-aircraft Flak (Flak is a contraction of Flugzeugabwehrkanone) gun was a 2cm Flak C/30, mounted on an LC 30/37 mount.
Meanwhile, Prien cleans his binoculars. In sea such as these, this task would be preformed on an annoyingly regular basis. His earplugs indicate that a test firing of the Flak gun has been in progress. (Grieft, Enemy)
View Photograph: X05. During the 9th patrol, Atlantic Ocean
X06. During the 9th patrol, Atlantic Ocean
Prien oversees the 20mm maintenance as Meier looks on. Meier would fire this 20mm weapon during the attack on the Dunsley on the 2nd December 1940. (Grieft)
View Photograph: X06. During the 9th patrol, Atlantic Ocean
X07. During the 9th patrol, Atlantic Ocean
Unshaven, wearing one of his scarves and his grey U-boat leathers, Prien poses for Wolfgang Frank. Neither could know that this would be Günther Prien's penultimate patrol. After the end of the 9th patrol, Frank was invited to a meal with Prien, the officers of U-47 and two new midshipmen. The legendary commander regaled them all with tales of his time spent on sailing ships, of Scapa Flow and of life in the Ubootwaffe. (Grieft, Enemy)
View Photograph: X07. During the 9th patrol, Atlantic Ocean
X08. 1600 hours, 18th November 1940, 4 nautical miles north-west of Rockall in the Atlantic Ocean
Perched on the bow of U-47 is the bow cutter, which was ever present on U-47. This feature was removed from U-boats starting in March 1941, the month of her demise.
On the horizon lurks Rockall, a small rock which protrudes out of the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean. Such a landmark would be very helpful for a navigator (Obersteuermann) after days of inclement weather. (Grieft)
View Photograph: X08. 1600 hours, 18th November 1940, 4 nautical miles north-west of Rockall in the Atlantic Ocean
