In October 1942, a vitally important WW2 U-boat battle took place off the coast of South Africa. While thousands of miles away from the heart of the war in Europe, it was, in fact, one of Nazi Germany’s deadliest naval missions in the war.
Specifically, the WW2 German U-boat sortie went by the name Gruppe Eisbär (Polar Bear). It comprised four Type IXC boats (submarines). Namely, the U-68 (Karl-Friedrich Merten), U-172 (Carl Emmermann), U-159 (Helmut Witte) and U-504 (Hans-Georg Poske). So, why were these naval killing machines traversing South African waters?
WW2 U-BOAT BATTLE: OPERATION EISBÄR
At the height of early Nazi aggression in WW2, it saw the strategic importance of the Cape sea route that carried Allied troops and supplies right around Africa. Therefore, the regime dispatched U-boats to patrol the waters at the tip of Africa, more or less destroying anything they encountered.
Historical records say, between 7-11 October 1942, fourteen ships were sunk within a 90-mile radius of the Cape. Roughly 100 000 tons in five days. Among them were the Danish SS Boringia, the British SS Clan Mactavish and the American SS Coloradan, all sunk by U-159. U-172 sank the Panamanian MV Firethorn and the Greek Pantelis on 8 October.
BATTLES MOVE SOUTH EAST
After Allied forces encountered massive loses, shipping was diverted to Durban. Therefore, the WW2 U-boat battle moved South East. On 17 October 1942 U-504 sank the SS Empire Chaucer, followed by the SS Anne Hutchinson, the SS Empire Guidon and, on 31 October, the SS Reynolds. In total, Operation Eisbär sank 34 ships: 23 off the South African coastline, and eleven in transit. It is estimated that 2 690 people died in total.
Moreover, the deadliest single loss – and largest maritime disaster in South African history – came a month later. On 28 November 1942, U-177 attacked British troopship Nova Scotia with three torpedoes off the Natal coast. It was carrying Italian prisoners of war and civilian internees from Massawa, alongside British and South African guards and crew. More 1 000 were on board, 858 died, with a Portuguese frigate Afonso de Albuquerque rescuing some 192 survivors.
WHY IS THIS WW2 U-BOAT BATTLE FORGOTTEN?
As a defence, Cape Town and Durban went dark at night to help deter the U-boats. Eisbär’s captains had to abandon plans to attack harbour approaches directly. Eventually the blackout tactic worked. The U-179 was sunk, and U-159 was depth-charged by South African forces.
Historians say this most deadly WW2 U-boat battle is largely forgotten due to deliberate wartime censorship. Many of the attacks took place far offshore, in the dark, and Germany wanted to keep details quiet. And yet, in sheer scale, one of the deadliest submarine operations of WW2 was fought within sight of the South African coastline …
But what do you think? Do you have any recollection of this WW2 U-boat battle? Please share your thoughts/stories in the comments section below …