--- title: "This German U-boat was crewed by American sailors" description: "On June 17, 1943, the Nazi Germany Kriegsmarine launched submarine U-858. The Type IXC/40 U-boat carried out two patrols during the war." date: "2022-07-14" modified: "2023-07-12" authors: - name: "Miguel Ortiz" job_title: "Senior Contributor, Army Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/miguelortiz/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/this-german-u-boat-was-crewed-by-american-sailors/" categories: - "History" - "Navy" - "Ships" - "Tactical" - "War History" --- # This German U-boat was crewed by American sailors ![german u-boat]() On June 17, 1943, the [Nazi Germany Kriegsmarine]() launched submarine *U-858*. The Type IXC/40 U-boat carried out two patrols during the war. For her second patrol, the German U-boat was sent to the East Coast of the United States to wreak havoc on American shipping. However, on May 10, just over a week after Hitler's suicide, the submarine surrendered to two destroyer escorts approximately 700 miles off the New England coast. It was the first enemy ship to surrender to the United States following Germany's defeat. ![german u-boat surrender]() *U-858 *surrenders 700 miles off the New England coast on May 10, 1945 (U.S. Navy)** With an American prize crew transferred aboard, the captured *U-858* sailed for the United States. On May 14, four days after the surrender at sea, the submarine was formally surrendered at Fort Miles in Lewes, Delaware. USS *Pillsbury* (DE-133) and USS *Pope* (DE-134), the ships that accepted U-858's surrender at sea, arrived later that day. Half of the German crew was removed from the submarine, including three of the four officers, and a U.S. Navy crew was assigned to the U-boat. ![u-858]() *U-858 *flies the American flag at anchor in Delaware with a Sirkorsky HNS-1 helicopter and blimp overhead (U.S. Navy)** American submariners were given the task of sailing *U-858* along the East Coast and making port calls as part of a war bond drive. The sight of a captured [Nazi submarine]() helped encourage the American people to make a final effort to donate to the cause and finish the war in the Pacific. Although they weren't crewing *U-858* in combat, the American sailors still faced challenges aboard the former Nazi submarine. ![us navy boarding german u-boat]() **A U.S. Navy boarding party sets out for* U-858 *(U.S. Navy)** Reports described *U-858* as "a sewer pipe with valves." Chuck Kline, an American sailor who served aboard *U-858*, told Military Times that these reports weren't far off. "The Germans had no regard for creature comfort on their submarines," he recalled. "The first time we got into cold weather, we were up at Portsmith, New Hampshire, and getting into that cold water, it was like a rain storm inside that boat. We put oil cloth over our sacks so they wouldn't get wet." ![german u-boat captain]() **Kapitanleutnant Thilo Bode (center), captain of* German U-boat U-858*, surrenders to Commander J. P. Norfleet (right) (U.S. Navy)** In addition to the leaks which caused pools of water to accumulate in the submarine, *U-858* had no shower or laundry facilities. Moreover, the controls were all labeled in German. Kline and his shipmates had to write up labels in English and place them on the controls. Luckily, no mishaps occurred while *U-858* was under American control. By 1946, the U-boat made it down to Key West, Florida before returning to New England. The Navy used the submarine for torpedo practice until it was scuttled by [USS *Sirago* (SS-485)]() off the New England coast in November 1947. During her service, *U-858* saw no action and did not sink or damage any allied ships. ## Author Miguel Ortiz is a Senior Contributor for We Are The Mighty covering primarily military news and history with an emphasis on weapons technology. He is a former active duty Army officer and remains a member of the Army IRR. After commissioning through San Diego State University Army ROTC, Miguel served with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, NY. He has written for We Are The Mighty since 2020, drawing from his passion for the military community and history. Miguel’s work has also been seen on Business Insider and The Blast. He remains an avid shooter, competing in local USPSA matches. Miguel’s other hobbies are traveling and watch collecting. ### Author social links [LinkedIn]()