Italian sub at Salerno

[WOLF1]

My father related a story to me regarding a U-Boat during the Salerno landing:
He was with the 36 US Infantry Div.142 Reg Co I ,which landed on Sept 9th 43 in the early morning hours.
As they were about to board their LCI’s an Italian U-Boat surfaced in the middle of the landing fleet .Out of the conning tower the Captain popped out waving his arms and a white flag.
Well you can imagine the concern this had on the Invasion fleet. Every gun in the fleet turned toward the U-Boat, the US navy came and boarded the U-boat and had her towed away to god knows where.
I have read many books on the Salerno invasion and have never heard of any encounter of this nature with U-boats.
Anyone know where I could start to research this encounter?

Thanks

Wolf1

Split from: http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=817946 by the moderator.

[Davide Pastore]

1) an Italian U-Boat surfaced in the middle of the landing fleet .
2) Out of the conning tower the Captain popped out waving his arms and a white flag.
3) the US navy came and boarded the U-boat
4) and had her towed away to god knows where.

What about point 5): "... and then the Italian captain played the mandolin for our GIs..."

Circumstance 1) above might LOOSELY refer to the Nichelio, which surfaced at 08:00 of 9 september (in the open sea somewhere in the lower Tyrrenian, NOT in the middle of an advancing fleet, since Italians may have been a little dumb, but not totally stupid).

Circumstance 2), 3) and 4) have (AFAIK) no connection with reality:

- Nichelio did NOT raise the white flag. It did not surrender, nor it meant to surrender to anyone, nor the allies required it to surrender to them. Remember, Italy didn't surrender to the Allies - it just changed alliance... Italian ships raised instead a (little) black flag, as a pre-ordered identification measure.

- Nichelio was met by BRITISH units of unknown type (a photo shows a ML alongside it, pennant unreadable, but there could have been other units), whose crew did NOT board the boat (although probably they didn't lower the guard for a single second...)

- Said RN units escorted Nichelio to Salerno, where it remained for a few days until finally transferred to Malta, arriving there on 21 September. At Malta were concentrated 22 Italian submarines, all of them having done the same as Nichelio (i.e., being met by RN ships somewhere along the route), although AFAIK Nichelio was (AFAIK again) the only one intercepted near Salerno.


Davide

[WOLF1]

1) an Italian U-Boat surfaced in the middle of the landing fleet .
2) Out of the conning tower the Captain popped out waving his arms and a white flag.
3) the US navy came and boarded the U-boat
4) and had her towed away to god knows where.

What about point 5): "... and then the Italian captain played the mandolin for our GIs..."

Circumstance 1) above might LOOSELY refer to the Nichelio, which surfaced at 08:00 of 9 september (in the open sea somewhere in the lower Tyrrenian, NOT in the middle of an advancing fleet, since Italians may have been a little dumb, but not totally stupid).

Circumstance 2), 3) and 4) have (AFAIK) no connection with reality:

- Nichelio did NOT raise the white flag. It did not surrender, nor it meant to surrender to anyone, nor the allies required it to surrender to them. Remember, Italy didn't surrender to the Allies - it just changed alliance... Italian ships raised instead a (little) black flag, as a pre-ordered identification measure.

- Nichelio was met by BRITISH units of unknown type (a photo shows a ML alongside it, pennant unreadable, but there could have been other units), whose crew did NOT board the boat (although probably they didn't lower the guard for a single second...)

- Said RN units escorted Nichelio to Salerno, where it remained for a few days until finally transferred to Malta, arriving there on 21 September. At Malta were concentrated 22 Italian submarines, all of them having done the same as Nichelio (i.e., being met by RN ships somewhere along the route), although AFAIK Nichelio was (AFAIK again) the only one intercepted near Salerno.


Davide

Wow thanks for the reply and insight Davide this all comes from the remberencs from a very old man along time after the fact. As with all Vet stories you need to add a grain of salt as I'm sure you are aware. My Dad was very tight liped until the end of his years about his service in the Italian camp. and throughout the rest of the war.Its not like I did not belive his stories,just wanted some historical light shed on this one. Wonder if he just heard about it or as he says witnessed it we will never know.
Thanks again!

Cheers

Wolf1

[Andreas]

Circumstance 2), 3) and 4) have (AFAIK) no connection with reality:

- Nichelio did NOT raise the white flag. It did not surrender, nor it meant to surrender to anyone, nor the allies required it to surrender to them. Remember, Italy didn't surrender to the Allies - it just changed alliance... Italian ships raised instead a (little) black flag, as a pre-ordered identification measure.

Hello Davide

According to this Italy did in fact surrender formally:

http://www.ibiblio.org/pha/war.term/093_01.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/date ... 612037.stm

However, you are correct that no white flag was to be shown (from the first link):

Instructions to the Italian Fleet and Mercantile Marine by SIR ANDREW BROWNE CUNNINGHAM, Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Naval Forces in the Mediterranean.


United Nations Radio. Algiers. September 8, 1943. [5]

Sailors of the Italian Navy and mercantile marine:

Your country has terminated hostilities against the United Nations. The German armed forces have

[4] New York Times, September 9, 1943.
[5] New York Times, September 9, 1943.
Page 8
become the open enemies of the Italian people and intend to seize your ships.

Your ships are urgently needed to assist in the work of carrying supplies to Italy and your warships to protect them from the Germans. Take heed, therefore, that you do not scuttle your ships or allow them to be captured.

The forces of the United Nations are watching out to receive you and protect you. Save your ships and follow the directions now given to you by the United Nations.

Ships in the Mediterranean, sail to a place safe from the interference of the German armed forces. Sail if you can to North Africa or Gibraltar, to Tripoli or Malta, to Haifa or Alexandria, or to Sicily, there to await the outcome of events.

Ships in the Black Sea, sail to Russian ports. If you have not the fuel to do this, then proceed to neutral ports.

When you meet forces of the United Nations, identify yourself by day by flying a large black or dark blue pennant from the main mast, by showing large circular patches from your decks as identification to aircraft.

By night, if darkened ships are met, burn dim navigation lights and flash the letters "GA" toward the darkened ship.

Follow carefully all directions of United Nations forces. These are given to insure your safety.

Merchant seamen, if you first preserve your ships intact and afterward satisfy the authorities of the United Nations that you will loyally cooperate with them, there will be opportunity for further seagoing employment for you in Italian ships.

Page 9

Those of you who are in the Aegean or the Black Sea, if you cannot make good your escape from the Germans, who are now your enemies, do not let your ships fall into their hands. As a last resort, scuttle them or sabotage them, rather than let them fall into the hands of the Germans to be used against Italy.

Ships intending to act in conformity with this message may confirm their safe conduct by calling "Malta V P T" or "Algiers F U G" or "Alexandria S U H" on 500 kilocycles. [6]

It then changed alliance.

All the best

Andreas