U-47 Photograph Album
Section Y (6th December 1940, Lorient - end of 9th patrol)
Y01. End of 9th patrol, 6th December 1940, Lorient
The mauve scarf Prien is wearing was originally a present for his wife Ingeborg, but Günther nicked it back from her. His full beard indicates that he is returning from patrol. Unfortunately for the Ubootwaffe, this was the last time Prien would return.
The 9th patrol had been blighted by inclement weather and heavy seas. Day after day had passed without making contact with the enemy. The only sinking during the month-long patrol was the Ville d'Arlon, a Belgian steam passenger vessel of 7,555 tons. Prien had identified this ship as a steamer of the Beaver class, of over 10,000 tons. In addition, three vessels - Gonçalo Velho, Conch and Dunsley – were all damaged. (Grieft, Enemy, Beaver)
View Photograph: Y01. End of 9th patrol, 6th December 1940, Lorient
Y02. End of 9th patrol, 6th December 1940, Lorient
A band plays while U-47 returns from her penultimate patrol. The patrol had been a frustrating one, full of inclement weather, boredom and a lack of ship sightings.
The crew prepare to moor the boat to the pier. In between the two groups of sailors, at the starboard side of the deck, can be seen two sets of clips. These, together with other clips, housed a mooring pole that can be seen lying on the deck. (Landser 784)
View Photograph: Y02. End of 9th patrol, 6th December 1940, Lorient
Y03. End of 9th patrol, 6th December 1940, Lorient
The bearded sailor pulling the mooring rope may be the same sailor who is motioning to the band conductor in Y02. The rim along the edge of the port breakwater can be seen in this close up view. Also visible are the small circular holes near the rim, which allowed water to drain away. The purpose of the breakwaters, as the name suggests, was to help prevent waves from splashing over the gun crew operating the 88mm deck gun. It was difficult enough to hit the target with a gun that was mounted on a rolling deck without waves drenching the gun crew.
Next to the front of the port breakwater is a pair of extended bollards. These retractable bollards, always arranged in pairs, were used to moor the boat to the pier. In total there were seven pairs of bollards on Type VII decks. (Admiral)
View Photograph: Y03. End of 9th patrol, 6th December 1940, Lorient
