The USS North Carolina (BB-55) My all-time favorite warship. As an elementary school student in North Carolina, I donated nickels and dimes to save this ship back in the early sixties.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Soviet World War II Submarine Found

From the Dec. 19, 2012, Yahoo! News--Reuters "Sweden finds Soviet submarine wreck in the Baltic Sea."

I must admit that I didn't know the Soviet Union even had submarines, but obviously they did.

The submarine was believed lost on patrol in late 1941.  It was found southeast of the Baltic Sea island of Oland in an area heavily mined by the Germans during World War II.  There is evidence that the sub was on the surface when it entered the minefield, struck one, and was blown into two pieces which have been found at the bottom.

It was first discovered by civilian divers.  Several Soviet submarines were sunk in Swedish waters and have been found.

Of course, getting the Soviet Union to ever admit to a defeat or loss was always difficult and this sinking was no doubt covered up.

It is believed to be the S6, which was sunk in September.  Photos taken at the wreck show Russian text and the hammer and sickle symbol of the Soviet Union.

Soviet subs often sailed on the surface either to flee or to recharge batteries and were nicknamed "Stalinets."

In 2009, divers found the S2 which was also sunk by German mines with 50 aboard in Jan. 1940.

Soviet Submarines.  Really?  --GreGen

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