Museum of Science and Industry commemorates German U-boat capture

CHICAGO (WLS) -- As the country remembers D-Day 70 years later, the Museum of Science and Industry is commemorating a major milestone made that same week by Allied forces in WWII.

The U.S. Navy captured Germany's U-505 Submarine, the only U-boat captured during the war, off the coast of West Africa - two days before the invasion of Normandy. It's one of only five U-boats left in the world and in the only one in the US.

MSI is commemorating both historic occasions with a new exhibit. The museum's Director of Collections & Head Curator Kathleen McCarthy explained what visitors will find.

As part of the 70th anniversary of the U-505's capture, the Museum will host various activities:

Free days for Illinois residents June 1-6, 2014 (Sunday-Friday)

Submarine-themed "make-and-take" activities offered in the exhibit space June 4, 7 and 8.

Chief Petty Officers from the Great Lakes Naval Base and additional submarine veterans stationed throughout the U-505 exhibit to docent and answer questions June 4 - 8.

The new giant-screen film, D-Day: Normandy 1944 offered in the Omnimax Theater daily at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. An additional timed-entry ticket is required for this film. (Film will run through the end of the year.)

Weekend presentations, included in Museum Entry:

Saturday, June 7, 2:30-3:30 p.m.: "Searching and Exploring the U-550"

For nearly two decades, Joe Mazraani, a shipwreck diver and captain of D/V Tenacious, was a part of a team that feverishly researched and dreamed of exploring the elusive U-550 German submarine. Join MSI for a special presentation by Mazraani detailing the search for and exploration of this vessel.

Sunday, June 8, 1:30-3 p.m.: "The History and Legacy of the U-505"

This panel will discuss the U-505's fascinating history-from the Battle for the Atlantic and the submarine's capture to its legacy today as an exhibition at MSI. Moderated by Kurt Haunfelner, vice president of exhibits and collections at MSI, panelists will include Ed Offley, author, Scorpion Down and Turning the Tide; Keith Gill, former curator of the U-505 restoration project at MSI; and Dick Klarich, MSI capital programs manager.

Both presentations are included in Museum Entry and seating is limited, on a first-come, first-served basis.

For additional information on the U-505's anniversary and activity updates, visit MSIChicago.org.