Duikboot - Nummer 8919: U287, 16.05.1945

[Darius]

Hallo zusammen,

KTB Skl. vom 20.05.1945:

[...] In Nacht zum 16.5. bei Einlaufen Elbe ,,U 287" auf Mine gelaufen und gesunken. Bisher 4 Gerettete, von übriger Besatzung nichts bekannt.[...]

Darius

[Ritchie]

Bei Gröner steht U 287 als selbstversenkt, interessanter Fund. Wieviele Opfer waren da 2 Wochen nach Kriegsende noch zu beklagen?

Grüße

Ritchie

[Darius]

Hallo Ritchie,

scheint inzwischen aber überholt zu sein:
https://uboat.net/boats/u287.htm

U-287 was on patrol east of the Orkney Islands when it received the order to cease fire and its crew decided to return to Germany instead to surrender to the nearest Allied forces as instructed. Knowing that they would be punished for disobeying orders and destroying their U-boat they landed 36 crew members with dinghies at Cuxhaven-Altenbruch, where the population helped them to change into civilian clothes and to head home to their families. The commander, II. WO, LI and five ratings scuttled U-287 further upstream, went ashore on the other side of the Elbe where the LI and three of the ratings voluntarily went into captivity, telling the interrogators that they were the only four survivors from U-287 that struck a mine upon entering the Elbe estuary on 16 May 1945. They apparently told their story so convincing that this made up fate remained the official cause of loss for more than 40 years until the veterans eventually shared the true story of the sinking.

Darius