Quiet naval hero who rescued Enigma machine dies aged 95

Royal Navy (United Kingdom) ^ | 6th January 2016

[Jeff Chandler]

It also upset quite a lot of British and Commonwealth servicemen

They have every right to be upset. Just remember that Hollywood is a center of mental illness.

[MrEdd]

Nah.

I met several men when I was growing up who fought in the first world war.
After finishing their time in the military they learned a useful trade and were just starting to raise families when the Depression hit. When the second war hit these guys had skills needed (machinists and boiler technicians) by the navy. They served again in the second world war, often with their own sons serving elsewhere.

There were three of these men in the small north Kansas farming town where my grandfather lived. My grandfather always pointed them out and talked to them when we went to town.

Those men were the greatest generation.

[InABunkerUnderSF]

Think for a moment about jumping on to a sinking, potentially booby trapped enemy submarine for a moment.

We don't make many like him here in America and I don't think the POME make as many as they used to either. God bless you David Balme and my he comfort those who loved and grieve for you now.

[Gay State Conservative]

Or maybe it can be said that "The Greatest Generation" starts at the time you've mentioned (WWI vets) and stretches all the way to those who fought in Korea.

And,of course,there were more than a few guys who fought bravely and skillfully in Vietnam but as *I* know (having lived through that era) there were many,many cowards and traitors at that time as well (Bill Clinton and Jane Fonda,for example).

[bigbob]

Amen. Let’s hope other heroes are able to rise to such a level.

[laplata]

RIP and thank you, Sir.

[PLMerite]

There’s also the story of the U-505:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_submarine_U-505

[PLMerite]

U-505 under new management:

Now living underground in Chicago:

[Squantos]

Been in that sub when I was a kid. Fields Museum ..... lions of Tsavo etc.... great place to visit. Seem to remember the sub wasn’t inside at the time. 1960’s or so....

[PLMerite]

They moved it indoors within the last few years. The boat and the lions (I read that book, too) I would like to see. Now that I’m retired maybe I can make it happen.

[Squantos]

Yeah I was just a pup then but loved that place....... love history !

[Sasparilla]

...We don’t make many like him here in America...
When push comes to shove, most who proudy have volunteered and are now serving are capable of doing the same things.

[Mr. Lucky]

It is a well written English sentence.

[Rebelbase]

Around 1990 I met a man in his mid 80’s who told a similar story about his father occasionally taking him to the ~old soldiers home~ for confederate vets.

[Polynikes]

The German Naval Enigma machines were particularly troublesome insomuch as they used a 4th rotor and were capable of using as many as 8 rotors although 4 were commonly used. This made monitoring U-Boat movement difficult relative to the Army or Air force 3 rotor traffic. Getting a naval enigma machine was a big prize
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enigma_machine

[Sir_Ed]

Wow! 13 year old and 15 year old boys joining the Navy?

Compare that with the youth of today...they fare poorly, I’m afraid.

I really enjoy reading your posts, by the way, and enjoy the back-and-forth on guns in Oz and Prince Charles.

Ed

[GreenLanternCorps]

RIP Sub Lt David Balme, thank you for your service to King and Country.

[GreenLanternCorps]

My favorite U505 pic of CAPT (later VADM) Daniel V. Gallery USN. When you capture an enemy vessel on the high seas, you hoist your Ensign above theirs to mark their defeat.

[PLMerite]

That’s the one I was looking for. Notice “Can Do Junior” painted on the conning tower.

[archy]

U571; the fictionalised account has American submariners, not British destroyermen, rescuing Enigma from a crippled German boat.

Towed it back home, too, they did!