Romanian subs activity

Yes, crolick, I know of the contradiction. The article was written a long time ago and usinga source in which I lost confidence since. I was planning to rewrite the articles on the Rechinul and Marsuinul, but I just didn't have the time to do it.

I found very interesting information about Romanian Delfinul in Clay Blair's book entitled Hitler's U-boat War, part 2 [The Hunted, 1942-1945]. He claimes that Hermann Eckhardt before he was appointed CO of U 432 he was a CO of Romanian 600-ton Delfinul operating in the Black Sea.

I suppose it is not quite true [since the COs were cpt. Constantin Costachescu and cpt. Corneliu Lungu] but maybe he was onboard on some of the patrols as advisor?! Anyone knows anything about that?!

Regards,
Andrzej

From eBay


Rechinul


Comandor Corneliu Lungu on the tower of Rechinul


The crew of Gr. Ciolac


Italian CB subs in Constanţa on 30 November 1943

Hello,

I found even more surprising source confirming German officer as CO of Delfinul!!

http://www.uboatarchive.net/U-490INT.htm

The source is very doubtfull since there were no Stefanescu nor Romaniesti but the question of Kptlt. Eckhardt still remains in force!

Cheers,
Andrzej

If you ask me, this interogation report is where the story of Kpt Hermann Eckhardt as CO of Delfinul comes from.

However, it's pretty interesting to note that the german sailor who claimed to have served aboard Delfinul gave the names of the other two submarines as "Stefanescu" and "Romaniesti" ("Romanesti" maybe?) at the time he was serving, thus in 1942.
We know for sure that at the times the submarines had been launched, but had not yet been commisioned.

Could it be that both names were in fact informal nicknames for the boats used by their crews? After all, the modern-day Delfinul is often reffered to as "Pandele".

The other posibility, of course, is that the german sailors was telling tall tales, although wherever it was to antagonise his captors remains unknown.

What 'Pandele' stands for?!

Pandele" is just a funny nickname.

Somehow similar to "guy" in English, which, I assume, comes from Guy Fawkes, found guilty by the authorities for the "Gun Powder plot". I haven't seen this myself, but I have been told that in England each year this Gun Powder Plot is celebrated with a life-size dummy called "Guy" which is burned on the streets.

So, similar to this 'guy", this "Pandele" is a quite affectionate name one gives here in Romania for the neighbour round the corner, or a not-so-close relative.

Thank you for clearing things up!

Do other subs have similar nicknames?!

Well, Crolick, at the moment Romania has no other submarines ... just "Pandele".
As for the other subs, I just had a short discussion with a neighbour of mine here in Constantza. He is an old man which worked on "Delfinul" and he used to know well Bibi Costachescu. He promised me a full account on his stories. I will also ask him if there was any nickname for the former Delfinul and the other two subs. Just stay tuned!