Two words come readily to mind when taking in the latest exhibit–“Operation Drumbeat”–over at the Tampa Bay History Center: sobering and claustrophobic.
We’ve known, if not in explicit detail, that during World War II German U-boats prowled around the Florida and Gulf coasts–in 1942-43–looking to disrupt shipping and plant some “over here” panic. Actually, seven cargo ships sailing into or out of Tampa were sunk by U-boats, causing 60 deaths. Farther out in the Gulf, the Germans damaged or sank 63 ships and killed 682.
This and more is chronicled in the exhibit that will be around till mid-April. More than 70 years later, it’s still sobering to be reminded that World War II came this close to home.
But the highlight is a full-sized replica of a 2-man German (Seehund) midget sub. About 40 x 4 feet, it wasn’t much larger than the two torpedoes affixed to it. The 2-man crew was in a stifling environment for as long as five days at a clip. The view from the rear will induce thoughts of claustrophobia, sanitation and even empathy for an enemy.