Hi all,

I am still working to identify all of the surrendered vessels that put into Loch Eriboll following the capitulation on 4th May 1945. Most of the research is relatively straightforward, though inevitably one or two anomalies do surface.

The Destroyer Escorts website www.desusa includes a piece written in 2004 ("The Forgotten Operation") by Pat Godwin, which gives a comprehensive description of the arrival and acceptance by the 21st Escort Group of thirty-three U-boats between 10th and 22nd May 1945. Most of vessels listed I have no problem with, but three included in the list generate either confusion or concern.

U-244 is listed as arriving 2030 hrs 14th May and departing 0600 the following day.
But the published histories record this vessel as surfacing and surrendering south-west of the Fastnet Rock on 12th May and putting into Lough Foyle on the 14th.
THE STATED TIMES AND DATES CAUSE SOME DISCREPANCY HERE. WOULD THE VESSEL HAVE SAILED ON THE SURFACE FROM THE SOUTH OF IRELAND TO THE NORTH OF SCOTLAND BETWEEN SURRENDER ON THE 12TH MAY AND ACCEPTANCE ON THE 14th ?

U-532 is listed as arriving 0730 on 13th May and departing 2300 on that same day.
But the published histories record this vessel as surrendering at Liverpool on the 10th May.
AGAIN, WOULD THE VESSEL HAVE BEEN SAILED FROM THE LIVERPOOL BAY AREA TO THE NORTH OF SCOTLAND, ONLY TO IMMEDIATELY RETRACE ITS STEPS POSSIBLY AS FAR AS NORTHERN IRELAND ?

U-1231 is listed as arriving 1330 13th May and departing 2300 on that same day.
But the published histories record this vessel as surfacing and surrendering at an unspecified location on 9th May and putting into Lough Foyle on the 14th.
AGAIN, DID THE VESSEL PUT INTO LOCH ERIBOLL FOR FORMAL SURRENDER BEFORE BEING ESCORTED TO NORTHERN IRELAND ?

If Pat Godwin includes these three vessels in his list I suppose they must have been present in Loch Eriboll, for however short a period, as he was there and he should know!


From other sources I have collated data on three further vessels which are stated as having been present in Loch Eriboll but the circumstances of which leave some questions in my mind.

U-299 surrendered at Bergen, Norway and was transferred to Loch Ryan 29th May 1945 for inclusion in Operation Deadlight.
WAS THIS VESSEL ESCORTED TO LOCH ERIBOLL BETWEEN NORWAY AND LOCH RYAN ?

U-368 surrendered at Wilhelmshaven, Germany on 23rd June 1945 and was transferred to Loch Ryan for inclusion in Operation Deadlight.
WAS THIS VESSEL ESCORTED TO LOCH ERIBOLL BETWEEN GERMANY AND LOCH RYAN ?

U-1023 surrendered at Weymouth on 10th May 1945 and was included in Operation Deadlight.
WOULD THIS VESSEL REALLY BE SAILED FROM THE SOUTH COAST OF ENGLAND TO THE NORTH COAST OF SCOTLAND BEFORE BEING ESCORTED TO EITHER LOCH RYAN (WESTERN SCOTLAND) OR LOUGH FOYLE (NORTHERN IRELAND) ?


I apologise for the length of this missive, but anomalies are annoying.

Doubtless the more knowledgeable members of the forum will be able to settle some (or hopefully all) of these little annoyances. And can anyone shed light on the expected publication date of Terry Andrews' definitive work on Operation Deadlight "BURY THE GREY WOLVES DEEP " ? The purported Publisher appears unresponsive or unhelpful.

Regards, and thanks in advance.