Newly-released photos reveal some of Germany’s once-feared submarines wrecked on the coast of southwest England after the First World War.
The surrendered U-boats were on their way to be used as gunnery targets.
Stripped of their engines, they were difficult to tow and ran aground after breaking free, as these previously unseen photographs of the wrecks at Falmouth show.
Conservationists Historic England released the collection on 1 February 2017 to mark the centenary of Germany resuming unrestricted submarine warfare.
The photos were taken in 1921 by Jack Casement, a noted naval officer, on what was probably his last official posting before he retired. His family have recently donated them to the Historic England Archive.
Sailors visit the listing UB-112 (Photo © Historic England/Patrick Casement)
For the WW1 Centenary, Historic England has also upgraded the conservation status of the national memorial to Britain’s submariners on the Thames Embankment in London, giving it added protection.
Roger Bowdler, Director of Listing, said: “The declaration of unrestricted submarine warfare in February 1917 was a decisive moment in the First World War.
“Germany’s tactic led to devastating losses for many nations but it also horrified the world. It was seen as uncivilised, ungentlemanly and ultimately brought the might of the United States into the war.
“By commemorating this day we can better understand its consequences and remember the many people who lost their lives in this way.”
Also in Centenary News: War Beneath the Waves – the story of Germany’s U-boats in Flanders.
Source: Historic England
Images © Historic England/Patrick Casement
Posted by: CN Editorial Team