SM U-7 (Germany)

SM U 7 was a German U- boat of the Imperial Navy, which was used in the First World War. It was the first German U- boat that was sunk by friendly fire.

History

It was given on 8 April 1908 in order and placed in the Germania shipyard in Kiel. The launch took place on July 28, 1910, with delivery on 18 July 1911.

On January 20, 1915 U 7 left the port of Emden in a westerly direction. On this day there was heavy seas, which is why U 22 left under the command of Lieutenant Bruno Hoppe his position off the English coast to return to Emden. The following day, the two boats met north of Ameland in sight off the Dutch coast. Due to the poor visibility Hoppe did not realize that it was a German boat.

U 22 sent a detection signal which remained unanswered by U 7. Instead, U tried 7 to remote with increasing speed. Another signal of U 22 was also not answered.

After a third signal remained unrequited, Hoppe did shoot two torpedoes, one of which U 7 met in the amount of the commander tower. The boat sank immediately in position 53 ° 26 ' N, 6 ° 12' O53.436.2. A crew member who was able to leave the sinking boat yet, was rescued by U 22.

Trivia

The particular tragedy of this incident lay beside the mistaken sinking of a boat or canoe in the fact that between the two commanders was a close personal friendship.

Commander of U 7

Lieutenant George King (August 1, 1914 - January 21, 1915 )