LIFE IN U=BOAT

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20918, 25 September 1939, Page 8

LIFE IN U=BOAT

CONDITIONS IN SUBMARINES NIGHTMARE OF SUSPENSE VESSELS VERY VULNERABLE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Sept 23 A description of life in a hunted U-boat, drawn from details supplied by men with first-hand knowledge of the conditions in submarines, throws an interesting light on the question of how effective the submarine weapon is likely to prove, apart from the successes obtained before the bringing into effect of the defence preparations. Submarines are very vulnerable, because damage that would be trivial to a surface ship may render submerging impossible, and a U-boat on the surface is an easy prey. Attack by depth charges is a most demoralising experience, and the strain of explosions coming closer and closer is almost intolerable, the crew well knowing that the next one may sink them for ever. Hunted by destroyers and patrol craft, forever searched for by aeroplanes, conscious always of mines and mined nets, the strain is terrible. Neither do living conditions ease the situation. Even on the surface the boat must always be trimmed down for instant diving. On the deck space above water only three men can stand, and all others below are cabined and confined in an oppressive and often foul atmosphere. Suspense and Anxiety No matter how great the capability of the submarine, men living in a nightmare of suspense and anxiety tire long before machinery. The opinion of experts is, therefore, that, although Britain may endure great losses, submarines alone can never maintain an adequate blockade.