28 – Submarine surrender at Harwich

On Tuesday 19th November 1918, the first batch of 20 submarines arrived off Harwich, escorted by Admiral Tyrwhitt’s destroyers.

The submarines were taken into harbour by British crews. They anchored off shore, were inspected and their crews transferred to a German cruiser for immediate repatriation.

British crews then took the submarines into port. There was no fraternization or jubilation.

Boarding U-boats for inspection

Over the following days more than 160 U-boats surrendered, at one point stretching in a line two miles long – U-boat alley.

Surrendered U-boats 

Evening – Surrendered German Submarines, U-boat Avenue, Harwich Painting by Donald Maxwell

These two submarines were transferred to the Japanese Navy after the war  

 

U-boat alley