German U-boat scuttled off Devon in 1944 identified 82 years later

A German U-boat scuttled off Devon in 1944 has been identified 82 years later, after a wartime naval log gave the wrong coordinates for its sinking.

U-672 was found about 20 miles (32km) off Salcombe, at a depth of roughly 230ft (70m). A deep-sea diving team from Portland discovered the wreck in August; the Plymouth-based Gasperados dive team later identified it from features including its snorkel and conning tower. [1]

The submarine was attacked by HMS Balfour in July 1944. Its crew of 52 scuttled it, and all survived. U-boat historian Dr Axel Niestle told the BBC that a clerical error had put the recorded position about 46 miles (74km) from the wreck’s actual location. [1]

After bringing the damaged submarine to the surface, the crew escaped in life rafts. British aircraft and vessels found them the following day, and they were taken to a prisoner-of-war camp, Gasperados diver Dominic Robinson said. [1]

Robinson said he had spoken to the U-boat commander’s family, who told him the skipper lived a “long and happy life”. They also said they believed he would have been proud and pleased that the submarine had finally been found. [1]