Watch Video
For nearly 70 years, it laid on the Atlantic seafloor undisturbed. But now, it’s found. Using sonar technology, researchers discovered a WWII-era submarine sunk long ago by Allied forces. WCVB reports.
"The U-550 was found Monday by a group of explorers who had been searching this area for several years. In April, 1944 that U-boat torpedoed an allied gasoline tanker. 44 Germans were killed and 25 aboard that tanker died.”
The Boston Globe reports an American escort ship protecting the gasoline tanker dropped a depth charge that struck the U-550 and forced it to the surface. WRGB has more.
“The WWII-era submarine sank after it was attacked by US forces off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts. The U-550 was found on Monday by a seven-man team. The team used sonar to locate the wreck and take pictures.”
The Boston Globe describes the scene of the 1994 attack in further detail and explains what’s to come of the expedition.
“After the submarine was forced to surface, the Germans began firing their deck guns, according to a US Coast Guard history. Three US ships returned fire, and one rammed into it. There were 44 casualties, and 12 survivors.The prisoners of war, and the survivors of the American tanker, were taken to Great Britain. The crew plans to notify families of those involved in the battle, including the German casualties.”