U-47 Photograph Album
Section K (24th October 1939, before sailing to Germaniawerft, Kiel)
K01. 24th October 1939, before sailing to Germaniawerft, Kiel
This photograph was taken at the same time as K02 and K03, since the background is identical. The same white launch can also be seen in K02.
The fairleads near the bow, the hole for the tow rope at the bow, and the white forward watermark indicators all feature in this photo. The main feature, however, is the net cutter. The eight-tooth net cutter included in the 1/72nd U-47 model kit by Amati is inaccurate; ten teeth were present on U-47's net cutter. The net cutters were later deemed to be unnecessary. They were removed from U-boats starting from March 1941, the time when U 47 succumbed to a watery grave. (Phantom, Admiral)
View Photograph: K01. 24th October 1939, before sailing to Germaniawerft, Kiel
K02. 24th October 1939, before sailing to Germaniawerft, Kiel
A few pointers indicate that the photos in the K series were taken on the 24th, before sailing to the Germaniawerft shipyards. In these photos, as in L04, the silver-coloured megaphone sits in the same location, Prien is in the same dress uniform, and the torpedo loading apparatus on the aft deck is extended. The torpedo-loading and unloading apparatus is extended because the torpedoes were unloaded before the boat entered the shipyards. (Uboote, Admiral)
View Photograph: K02. 24th October 1939, before sailing to Germaniawerft, Kiel
K03. 24th October 1939, before sailing to Germaniawerft, Kiel
Many details of the conning tower can be made out in this superb image. The forward jumping wire brace and the two shackles can be seen in great detail, as can the rim around the top of the tower bulwark. At the rear is the attack periscope housing with a cover on top. Attached to this housing, and situated in front, is one of the two magnetic compasses, with flowers wedged in between. Located behind the sailor's head is the UZO – Uberwasserzieloptik (surface attack optics). In front is the sky periscope housing; it has a cover, with a handle, in place on top.
Ahead of this is the cylindrical housing for a piece of equipment which has been suggested to be a mobile voicepipe; this was connected by way of a rubber hose. Just to the right is the megaphone that can be seen in K02. The pole on the right hand bulwark is the commander's flagstaff, with the commissioning pennant hanging from it. It either fitted into its current location or the other rectangular-shaped hole a foot to the rear. The three holes with rings on top were used to hook on safety harnesses. (Admiral)
View Photograph: K03. 24th October 1939, before sailing to Germaniawerft, Kiel
