German Submariners Were Stunned When Hedgehog Mortars Sank 270 U Boats in Just 18 Months
In 1943, German U-boat crews learned to fear a new sound in the Atlantic: a quiet scraping along the hull, followed by silence. That sound came from the Hedgehog — a forward-throwing anti-submarine mortar that finally solved the deadly “blind period” of traditional depth-charge attacks. This is the story of how civilian scientists in a small Admiralty office, the “Wheezers and Dodgers,” turned a rejected infantry weapon into one of the most effective killers of the Battle of the Atlantic. From the desperate nights of Black May 1943 to the final sinking of U-853 off Rhode Island two days before Germany’s surrender, the Hedgehog changed the odds from one-in-eighty to one-in-four. It was never a miracle weapon. It was the closer that made the larger system of radar, codebreaking, and escort carriers decisive. 00:00 The sound U-boat men feared 12:40 The blind period problem 24:20 Charles Goodeve and the Wheezers 35:50 Black May and the turning point 48:00 U-853 — the last kill If your father or grandfather served on Atlantic escorts, in the U.S. Navy, Royal Navy, or Coast Guard, or if someone in your family sailed the merchant convoys, please share his name and ship in the comments. These men kept the sea lanes open when the war hung in the balance. Thank you for watching. WW2 Stories Archive is dedicated to preserving the true history of World War II and honoring the courage of the Greatest Generation 🇺🇸. Our channel shares powerful battlefield stories, personal memories, and well-researched historical events so that their sacrifices will never be forgotten. Every episode is created with respect for veterans, their families, and all who value freedom. If you enjoy this story, please 👍 Like, 📢 Share it with friends who love WW2 history, and 🔔 Subscribe to WW2 Stories Archive so you never miss a new episode. Your support helps keep these memories alive 🎖️. #Hedgehog #BattleOfTheAtlantic #UBoat #WW2Navy #AntiSubmarineWarfare #RoyalNavy #USNavy #WW2History #GreatestGeneration #Dönitz #BlackMay #U853 #MilitaryHistory #NavalHistory #WWII #EscortShips #DepthCharge #Veterans #AtlanticConvoys #HonorTheirService
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