Diary note dated September 1939. An item reported that the last report before the war broke out mentioned 55 German submarines in actual service. At Kiel, Germany were two under construction for Turkey and undoubtedly to be commandeered making a total of 57 boats available.(1) However 32 boats were just 250 tonners and not suitable for extended cruising.
Note
1. There were three Ay-class submarines for Turkeybuilt on at the Germaniawerft, Kiel, Germany. The Batiray was seized and commissioned as the German submarine UA on 20 September 1939. Shortly named Optimist since 21 September 1939 UA. The others two were the Atilay and Saldiray both commissioned in 1939. The Yildiray was built at the Gölcük Naval Shipyard.
Source
National Archives. FDR Presidential Library&Museum Roosevelt PSFC000175. War diary Naval Attaché Berlin, volume 1 (1 September 1939-26 May 1940)
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