Sequel to a War Story


It was June 13, 1944. Machinest Max Forner was a member of the crew of German U-Boat U-715, enroute from its base in Norway to attack allied shipping. It was travelling westward about 150 miles north of the Shetland Islands. Built in Hamburg in 1943, it had spent some time in training along the Norwegan coast and was now on its way to engage the enemy. With the exception of four of its officers, the crew were young and inexperienced. Max Forner was only eighteen years old.
 
 
 



This same morning, RCAF Canso 9816 of 162 Bomber Reconnaisance Squadron took off from its temporary base in Wick, Scotland on an anti-submarine patrol. In the co-pilot's seat was Flying Officer Jim McRae. He had already flown 53 sorties, over 500 hours, on operations without any contact with enemy submarines.
 


On this day the U-boat captain, Kapt-Lt Rottger elected to travel at periscope depth to make use of the schnorkel breathing devise so that he could use his diesel engines while still submerged. It was the feathery wake made by the schnorkel and periscope which was spotted from the aircraft and the fate of U-715 was sealed.

In the subsequent attack, four depth charges were dropped from an altitude of 50 feet. Enveloped in the plumes of the exploding charges, the U-boat managed to come to the surface, but was mortally wounded. However, its accurate anti-aircraft fire had taken its toll, and the Canso was hit.

As the submarine went down, 48 of its 52 man crew got out, but most perished. Max Forner was the last to escape, and was able to don his life vest. He and 15 others clung together and were later rescued.

Badly wounded, the Canso could only stay airborn for a few minutes before having to come down in the sea. As it sank, the eight man crew escaped, but one of their dinghys exploded and was lost. The remaining dinghy was badly damaged and could not support them all. Three succumbed to exposure before rescue arrived.

Search and Rescue aircraft of the Royal Air Force arrived at the scene and dropped survival gear to both the German and Canadian crews. They were only a few miles apart. After eight and a half hours a Search and Rescue launch picked up the Canadian crew and brought them to Lerwick in the Shetland Islands.

After about eighteen hours the Germans were picked up by a Norwegan fishing boat which was under British control. The prisoners were taken first to Scapa Flow in the Orkneys, and then to Edinburg. They were sent as prisoners of war to several locations in the USA and not until 1947 did Max Forner reach home.

But the story does not end there. After 54 years, Jim McRae and Max Forner are now in contact with each other. At the time of their first encounter, Jim was 26 years old and Max was 18. Here is Jim in 1996 and Max in 1998.
Several surviving members of the crew of U-715 meet each year and they have forwarded a gracious invitation for Jim to join them. Hopefully this may come true.

Note: On 6 January, 1999, I received a letter from Max's son Helmut,  informing me that Max Forner died of Cancer in August, 1998.

Home Page