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The German submarine U-1206 was lost 8.5 miles east of Slains Castle on the 14th April 1945. According Brennecke (2001 Jager und Gejagte), the boat had been cruising at a depth of 200 ft circa 8-10 miles off Peterhead when the commander, Kptlt. Schlitt, decided to use the toilet without consulting a rating trained in its operation (the procedure was complicated). Something went wrong, and when the specialist arrived he misunderstood the situation and opened the wrong valve, which resulted in large quantities of seawater entering the boat. The water reached the batteries directly under the toilet, causing the production of chlorine gas, and the boat was forced to surface immediately, unfortunately right underneath an enemy aircraft. The crew managed to clear the gas by blowing clean air into the boat, but were at the same time bombed by the aircraft, causing extensive damage which left U-1206 unable to dive. Four of the crew were lost, with 46 survivors.
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Historic Environment Records (HER)