German U-boat at MSI captured 70 years ago during WW2

CHICAGO (WLS) -- World War II veteran Don Carter was there 70 years ago when the German U-boat on display at Chicago Museum of Science and Industry was captured.

In 1944, German submarines, called U-boats, would lie in wait in the Atlantic Ocean for ships bringing supplies to allied forces and then attack.

"Thirty-six thousand merchant sailors lost their lives. Thirty-five hundred merchant ships were sunk by German wolf packs," Kurt Haunfelner said.

The U.S. Navy turned the tide on U-boats by creating a special task group that's mission was to hunt down German U-boats. Carter was part of Task Group 223, which captured the U-505 off the coast of West Africa.

"It is the first capture on the high seas by the U.S. Navy," Carter said.

Gunfire was exchanged with the German sailors on the submarine. The Navy crew was ordered to board the U-505 after it was abandoned. The boat was taking on water, and it could have been rigged to explode.

"This boarding party, when he said, 'Boarders away,' and went to seize the sub, they had every reason to believe that five minutes later, they'd all be dead," Haunfelner said. "But did it stop them? Did it hold them back? No."

U-505 was the only German U-Boat captured by the U.S. Navy. The submarine held secrets and technology the Germans hoped would never fall into the allied forces' hands.

"They wanted to see the torpedoes that Germans made so much better than we did," Donald Garrett, WWII veteran, said. Garrett helped tow the U-Boat to a military port.

That capture took place just two days before D-Day.

The U-505 has been on display at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry for 60 years. More than 30 million people have toured the submarine.

For World War II veterans, Wednesday's ceremony at the U-boat might be their last visit.

"I think he's due. I think they're all due. And I'm glad they took this opportunity to honor the greatest generation," Joe McGuan, nephew of WWII vet, said.