Surrender of the U Boats

Admiral Tyrwhitt’s Harwich Force oversees the processing of German U–boats and their crew at the end of WWI.

This Gaumont newsreel production footage shows the processing of surrendered German U-boats and their crew shortly after the Armistice in November 1918. A cruiser squadron of Admiral Tyrwhitt’s Harwich Force, including HMS Redoubt and HMS Retriever, are seen closing in on U-boats flying the white ensign. A hospital ship is in the vicinity, with a dirigible flying above. As many as 200 U-boats and other German ships would be surrendered at the port of Harwich. Tyrwhitt was later promoted to Admiral of the Fleet.