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1942-08-14: U-255 rescued crew of a Blohm & Voss BV 138
U-255 (Kptlt Reinhart Reche) rescued the crew of a Blohm & Voss BV 138 in M.Qu. ÄG 8188 (approx. 78°57'N, 20°45'E, about 5 nautical miles south-east of Wilhelmøya, Spitsbergen) at 1752hrs on 14 August 1942. The U-boat was co-operating with the flying boat since 11 August in preparation of Operation "Wunderland" (attack of the German heavy cruiser ADMIRAL SCHEER on the Siberian sea routes) and had refuelled it on occasion, but on 14 August the flying boat was forced to carry out an emergency landing near the U-boat after two engines failed due to contaminated fuel. It was taken in tow and they moved slowly with intermediate stops along the east coast of Spitsbergen until the BV 138 capsized due to strong winds at 1710 hrs on 17 August in M.Qu. ÄG 7969 (approx. 77°27'N, 18°15'E, in the Storfjorden) and had to be scuttled with gunfire.
1942-08-17, 3./KüFlGr 406, BV 138 C-1, 310117, K6+HL
Capsized in tow after emergency landing at sea due to engine trouble, loss 100%
ObltzS Dierschke, survived
Unknown number of crewmen survived
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