German U-Boat Crews Going Ashore in the US?

[Gustav_SC]

I do not doubt this topic has been discussed before and I apologize for creating a new post. However, my attempts to search the forum for it have not been successful since it could be described in so many ways.

So, I ask two things:

1. Please direct me to any previous post about this if you know of it so that I don't waste anyone's time.

2. I am a native of Charleston, SC where rumors persist to this day of U-Boat sailors coming ashore and being entertained by sympathizers. I am no U-Boat expert but I am fairly well-read on the Battle of the Atlantic and the discipline of the U-Boat crews is very obvious. I do not think a captain would risk his boat for something so frivolous. Note - I am not referring to the landing of spies on the US mainland, which is well documented. Am I right or wrong?

THANKS!

[John G.]

Pure "folklore" (B.S. story)... but typical (Local story is U-Boat entered Portsmouth Harbor and took pictures of the Navy Yard there).

There were instances where U-Boats landed shore parties to leave seriously wounded crew members on French controled Islands in the Caribbean area...for medical care...but not for "partying"...
John G.

[Gustav_SC]

John G - 100% agreed. The people that "know" these things, though, just can't be convinced otherwise because their grandmother told them it was true. So, I give up on them.

[James A Pratt III]

Except for some spies who were landed in 1942 and 1944. The only time a U-boat crew land on the coast on North America during WW II was in 1943 when a U-boat landing party landed and set up a automatic weather reporting machine that soon broke down and is now in a Canadian museum. This has been mentioned on this site somewhere. I can't remember the number of the boat.

There was I believe at least one time where survivors of a U-boat that was sunk were landed at Charleston during WW II. I can't remember the number of the boat.

[mark harrison]

Hi-That would be U 352.

regards MH.

[SAJ]

Agreed, folklore..... I was born and raised in Wilmington North Carolina which is directly on the coast. To this day there are rumors that a U boat surfaced off the coast and put a rubber dinghy ashore to scavange for food. Lore has it that the Germans traded chocolate for fresh bread. Stories,,, all stories.

[s3bpilot]

Hi All, the mining mission by U 455 is about as close as U-boats got to Charleston. You can read the KTB here http://www.uboatarchive.net/U-455/KTB455-4.htm Jerry

[Polar bear]

hi,

There were instances where U-Boats landed shore parties to leave seriously wounded crew members on French controled Islands in the Caribbean area...for medical care...but not for "partying"... John G.

I know of one incident, only : That was U 156 - of later LACONIA fame - putting ashore the 2nd WO after he had lost a leg in an abandoned gunnery attack on the refinery of Aruba (the gun barrel exploded as one had forgotten to remove the tampion before firing)

greetings, the pb