gwsoldier. Wouldn't it be great to tell your students I "know" a survivor of this battle and he told me what "really" happened. Most of the sailors on the Roper were scared young kids, some were hiding, they had never been in combat. It was a terrifying experience for them. The U85 was the first U-Boat sunk by American forces and it happened at Midnight. The Roper had a torpedo fired at it and the fight was a malady of errors. The Ropers sonar picked up a second sub the depth charges went
My Dad was on the Roper when this engagment took place. It was not a war crime. That lie was started by Nazi lovers and a author who wanted to sell his book. My Dad is still alive the author could have asked him what happend but he didn't. The lie is kept alive by people repeating it. My Dad is still alive would you like to ask him what happened ? They dropped the depth charges because another sub was picked up by the Roper's sonar. Torpedo's were fired at the Roper. What would you do ?
@Tom19330 Tom, I have done a lot of research on the battle between the USS Roper and the U85. I believe that Capt Howe did what he thought was the right thing to do. In addition to diving and filming the site, I have talked to Capt Howe's son and have read the oral history dictated by Capt Howe. I would love to talk to your Dad about his impressions. My email is tomavard@gmail.com please email me so that we can discuss further.
I think its a shame that the germans survivors who were floating in the sea wasnt rescued, rather the USS Roper fired 11 depth charges to finnish of the almost destroyd U-85 and they also ended up killing all the germans wich was laying in the water.
A funny thing is that my last name is Greger i dont know if i am related to Eberhard Greger, but i am going to try to find out more about U-85 anyway.
If you research the engagement, you will find that the decision to depth charge was either:
1. A prudent defensive measure by the Captain of the Roper, or
2. A war crime.
It was suggested in 1942 and again in 2002 that it was a war crime. It is hard to second guess the decision of a commander in battle. I have researched what was in Captain Howe's mind and have formed my own opinion. After studying the situation, you need to form your own opinion.
@gwsoldier1 It was far worse in the Pacific war. The allied soldiers in the Pacific had a policy of take no prisoners. One, simply they didn't have the resources or the care to keep Japanese prisoners; two, they considered Japanese 'untermensch', and three they were fed horror stories of what the Japanese would do to them if captured (bheading). I've read a ratio of only 1 to 1000 of surrendered prisoners taken, otherwise they were shot. Truly atrocious.
You cant compare these two fronts. For the first the japanse soldiers were brainwashed and would fight til death and nothing else. The germans were actually more civilised to call it that, in my oppinion. I would not compare the Pacific war or the Atlantic war with eachother.
They are are both tragic and horribel in theyr own way.
I think its a shame that the germans survivors who were floating in the sea wasnt rescued, rather the USS Roper fired 11 depth charges to finnish of the almost destroyd U-85 and they also ended up killing all the germans wich was laying in the water.
A funny thing is that my last name is Greger i dont know if i am related to Eberhard Greger, but i am going to try to find out more about U-85 anyway.
I agree thats it is historical to dive Into uboot and that is awesome to do it and see it from outside.
I find it nice to see uboot dive videos at youtube.
But just look at the U534 Which had Salvaged , there was still beautiful and nice historic objects came out from the boat, that boat is now restored. they would have to do with each submarine.
It is the best part of diving. We study the history and then dive. Our Scuba shop has trips to all five of the divable Uboats within 400 miles of D.C.
gwsoldier. Wouldn't it be great to tell your students I "know" a survivor of this battle and he told me what "really" happened. Most of the sailors on the Roper were scared young kids, some were hiding, they had never been in combat. It was a terrifying experience for them. The U85 was the first U-Boat sunk by American forces and it happened at Midnight. The Roper had a torpedo fired at it and the fight was a malady of errors. The Ropers sonar picked up a second sub the depth charges went
Tom19330 1 year ago
My Dad was on the Roper when this engagment took place. It was not a war crime. That lie was started by Nazi lovers and a author who wanted to sell his book. My Dad is still alive the author could have asked him what happend but he didn't. The lie is kept alive by people repeating it. My Dad is still alive would you like to ask him what happened ? They dropped the depth charges because another sub was picked up by the Roper's sonar. Torpedo's were fired at the Roper. What would you do ?
Tom19330 1 year ago
@Tom19330 Tom, I have done a lot of research on the battle between the USS Roper and the U85. I believe that Capt Howe did what he thought was the right thing to do. In addition to diving and filming the site, I have talked to Capt Howe's son and have read the oral history dictated by Capt Howe. I would love to talk to your Dad about his impressions. My email is tomavard@gmail.com please email me so that we can discuss further.
Tom
tomavard 1 year ago
Eberhard Greger was the comander of U-85. Greger for life!
gwsoldier1 1 year ago
@gwsoldier1
GW Soldier. I am a soldier too.
I have a great deal of respect for Oberleuntant zur See Gregor.
Hamilton Wilcox Howe was the Captain of the USS Roper. I know the story of that battle very well. I explain it to my divers all the time.
Tom
tomavard 1 year ago
@tomavard
I think its a shame that the germans survivors who were floating in the sea wasnt rescued, rather the USS Roper fired 11 depth charges to finnish of the almost destroyd U-85 and they also ended up killing all the germans wich was laying in the water.
A funny thing is that my last name is Greger i dont know if i am related to Eberhard Greger, but i am going to try to find out more about U-85 anyway.
gwsoldier1 1 year ago
If you research the engagement, you will find that the decision to depth charge was either:
1. A prudent defensive measure by the Captain of the Roper, or
2. A war crime.
It was suggested in 1942 and again in 2002 that it was a war crime. It is hard to second guess the decision of a commander in battle. I have researched what was in Captain Howe's mind and have formed my own opinion. After studying the situation, you need to form your own opinion.
Tom
p.s. I know 2 relatives of Cpt Howe.
tomavard 1 year ago
@gwsoldier1 It was far worse in the Pacific war. The allied soldiers in the Pacific had a policy of take no prisoners. One, simply they didn't have the resources or the care to keep Japanese prisoners; two, they considered Japanese 'untermensch', and three they were fed horror stories of what the Japanese would do to them if captured (bheading). I've read a ratio of only 1 to 1000 of surrendered prisoners taken, otherwise they were shot. Truly atrocious.
cobrachoppergirl 1 year ago
@cobrachoppergirl
You cant compare these two fronts. For the first the japanse soldiers were brainwashed and would fight til death and nothing else. The germans were actually more civilised to call it that, in my oppinion. I would not compare the Pacific war or the Atlantic war with eachother.
They are are both tragic and horribel in theyr own way.
gwsoldier1 1 year ago
@tomavard
I think its a shame that the germans survivors who were floating in the sea wasnt rescued, rather the USS Roper fired 11 depth charges to finnish of the almost destroyd U-85 and they also ended up killing all the germans wich was laying in the water.
A funny thing is that my last name is Greger i dont know if i am related to Eberhard Greger, but i am going to try to find out more about U-85 anyway.
gwsoldier1 1 year ago
Can you as a diver to enter the u-boot or is this too dangerous.
freeharddrive 1 year ago
Greetings,
Penetration is an advanced skill. It is possible to enter some of the U-boats. Most people just enjoy the wreck from the outside.
Thanks for the question.
Tom
tomavard 1 year ago
@tomavard
Ok thanks for the explanation.
Sorry for my bad englisch.
I agree thats it is historical to dive Into uboot and that is awesome to do it and see it from outside.
I find it nice to see uboot dive videos at youtube.
But just look at the U534 Which had Salvaged , there was still beautiful and nice historic objects came out from the boat, that boat is now restored. they would have to do with each submarine.
freeharddrive 1 year ago
It is the best part of diving. We study the history and then dive. Our Scuba shop has trips to all five of the divable Uboats within 400 miles of D.C.
Come Join Us.
Tom
tomavard 2 years ago
was it thrilling to explore a sunken wwtwo vessel
isabelchirs 2 years ago