2023-09-04 11:17:49
Two wrecks off the coast of Zeebrugge turn out to be German submarines from the First World War, West Flanders Governor Carl Decaluwé announced on Monday. Their presence was already known, but they had not yet been formally identified.
Many wrecks occupy the waters of the North Sea, most dating from one or other of the two world wars. Most of them have not yet been fully identified. The two in question were made possible thanks to the underwater archaeologist Thomas Termote: they are the U-5 and the U-14. “It is important to be able to identify these two wrecks. The stories hidden in them are of essential historical importance, also for the families of the people who died there. We have contacted the German authorities, they are trying to find family members of the occupants“, explained during a press conference Mr. Decaluwé.
The U-5 is the oldest submarine sunk in Belgian territorial waters. It dates from 1910 and is 57 meters long. Still intact at the bottom of the water, experts believe that he ended his career on a mine. The U-14 was 34 meters long and was built in 1915. It is known to have laid mines about 20 times and to be responsible for sinking six British ships.
His last departure from Zeebrugge dates back to October 1, 1917, he then disappeared from the radar. Given his condition, experts believe he suffered from a strong explosion. Some 300 wrecks lie in Belgian waters, about forty of them have not yet been identified.
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