Drowning flotilla: The name given in the Dover Patrol to the German Flanders Coast submarine flotilla, in consequence of its severe losses at our [Allied] hands. Hardly any of the U-boats survived its third cruise. Practically all met their fate at our [Allied] hands. One of the last was SM UB-116, which, manned by a crew entirely of German Naval Officers, made a forlorn-hope attempt, ten days before the Armistice, to enter Scapa and attack the Grand Fleet. Detected at the entrance, it was blown up on the mine-field and all on board perished. Colonel Repington in his "First World War," Vol. II., p.290, visiting Admiral Sir Roger Keyes at Dover, in April, 1918, saw a chart showing where the U-boats had been dealt with. He says: "His graveyard shows the spots where twenty Boche submarines have been sunk since he took command in January. The trawlers and drifters fired on the U-boats, and small destroyers attacked them with depth-charges and drove them down upon the mines." .[1]
References / notes
- ↑ Edward Fraser and John Gibbons (1925). Soldier and Sailor Words and Phrases. Routledge, London p.82.
Glossary of words and phrases
The above term is listed in our glossary of words and phrases of the Armed Forces of Great Britain during the Great War. Included are trench slang, service terms, expressions in everyday use, nicknames, the titles and origins of British and Commonwealth Regiments, and warfare in general. These words and phrases are contemporary to the war, which is reflected in the language used. They have been transcribed from three primary sources (see Contents). Feel free to expand upon and improve this content.
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