That's my Dad, a Royal Canadian Navy veteran of World War II. He's 88 now and living in a nursing home in Brampton, probably not unlike many of his comrades in arms that are still alive..it was so many years ago for him and he was just a teenager when he joined up. Unfortunately he is suffering from Alzheimer's so the day was not really registering for him but we sat him in front of my iPad so he could watch the ceremonies from Ottawa anyway.
Here is the account of the action from Wikipedia.
After the German surrender on 8 May 1945, the German High Command ordered all U-boats to surrender. On the afternoon of 10 May, U-889 was spotted south of Newfoundland by a RCAF airplane, steaming at 10 knots and flying a black flag of surrender. The RCAF plane radioed to nearby Western Escort Force W-6 who intercepted the submarine an hour later. U-889 was ordered to head to Bay Bulls Newfoundland. 24 hours later U-889 was turned over to frigates HMCS Buckingham and HMCS Inch Arran who escorted her to Shelburne harbour Nova Scotia where she was boarded and Braeucker, her Commanding Officer, made a formal surrender.
Many Many years later Dad told me about attending a Naval reunion and meeting a gentleman that turned out to be a former sailor in the German Navy who stayed on in Canada after being captured at the end of the war. My Dad inquired as to what ship he was on and the reply was that he was not on a ship but a submarine...the U-889 to be exact! ..not only that but when quizzed as to his job...you guessed it... Radio Operator...same as my Dad!!!
Truth is stranger than fiction eh?....Well these two former enemies became friends and stayed in touch via snail mail for many more years.
Dad eventually lost touch with him but I'm so glad he told me this story before the Alzheimers came on.
Lest we forget.
Great story!
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