How a German submarine was destroyed by a faulty toilet
Since World War II, German submarines have been leaders in the field of underwater waste disposal. Engineers developed a special method of dumping them into the water instead of the more common in those years and less convenient storage on board in special tanks.
Submarine U-1206
At first, this method was used only at shallow depths, but progress advanced further and allowed the Germans to safely relieve themselves at great depths thanks to an improved type of latrine. Which, it should be noted, was particularly difficult not only in development, but also in subsequent use. In this regard, a special person was assigned to the crew of each submarine, who conducted training on the correct use of the toilet.
Submarine U-1206 was the newest model to carry such a toilet.
Submarine U-1206 In the spring of 1945, the submarine was sixteen kilometers off the Scottish coast, deep in the North Sea. It was at this point that Captain Karl-Adolf Schlitt decided to visit the toilet. When he had done what he wanted, he looked at the new device in confusion and only then realized that he should not have skipped the classes in which his team was being taught how to use this unit correctly. I had to ask for help. However, the specialist assigned to his submarine was very busy with something else, so Schlitt turned to one of the sailors. Unfortunately for him, he himself did not really get used to the toilet, and therefore embarked on unsuccessful experiments. Not paying attention to the open valve of the toilet, the poor guy eventually managed to arrange a whole fountain from the contents of the latrine mixed with sea water. All this poured onto the floor, the fountain did not even think of subsiding, and it was absolutely impossible to get close to the valve and close it. The submarine surfaced urgently, but the salt water of the North Sea had already reached the battery compartment. When it came into contact with a lead battery, it caused an instant reaction in the form of caustic chlorine.
The submarine that surfaced was immediately attacked by British aircraft. Karl-Adolf ordered his crew to abandon ship. As a result, the German sailors were taken on board by a destroyer.