July 1945: Stepping aboard a captured German U-boat

After almost a decade in which, presumably for reasons of national security, The Engineer studiously avoided discussing the technological advances made during the Second World War, the publication was finally free to look back at some of the engineering strides taken during the conflict.

And it’s notable that one of the first developments to catch its eye was not one of the many technical advances that swung hostilities in the Allies favour, but a marvel of German engineering: the U-boat.

After stepping aboard a captured U-3008 – one of the most advanced versions of the Type 21 U-boat – The Engineer didn’t hold back in its praise of a boat that it described as “revolutionary in many points of design and performance”, and bristling with features that “would make the mouths of British submarine officers water”.

Indeed, so advanced did The Engineer consider the vessel that it was moved to reference science fiction. “Some of the capabilities of the U-boats of this type are almost reminiscent of the fancies of Jules Verne: nine months below the surface, capable of 16 knots under water in emergency and safe at a depth of 900ft.”