The ships, some still laden with munition, belonged to Nazi Germany’s Black Sea fleet that was deliberately sunk by the Germans as they retreated from Romania as Soviet forces advanced.
Historians say up to 200 German warships were scuttled in September 1944 near Prahovo in the Danube gorge known as The Iron Gate on the orders of the fleet’s commander as they came under heavy fire from the Soviets. The idea behind the deliberate sinking was to at least slow down the Soviet advance in the Balkans. But it didn’t help as Nazi Germany surrendered months later, in May 1945.
The wrecks appearing from the depths are an impressive sight, but they have caused decades of trouble for those using the river, and now the Serbian government, with European Union support, is planning to do something about them. Now, the European Union and the European Investment Bank have agreed to provide loans and grants to finance the operation to remove some of the vessels near Prahovo in order to improve the traffic capacity of the Danube. The total cost of the operation is estimated at 30 million euros , of which about 16 million are grants.
Accompanying Giaufret was Alessandro Bragonzi, the head of the European Investment Bank in the Western Balkans. He said the project consists of the removal of 21 sunken vessels.
México Últimas Noticias, México Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
Danube Drought Reveals Hulks of World War II BattleshipsThe worst drought in Europe in decades hasn’t only scorched farmland and hampered river traffic. It also has exposed a part of World War II history that had almost been forgotten. The hulks of dozens of German battleships have emerged from the mighty Danube River as its water levels dropped. A rusty hull, a broken mast where the swastika flag used to fly, an upper deck where a command bridge used to be, a barrel that could have been holding fuel. They all lean on a pebblestone dune that has emerged in the middle of the huge river that separates Serbia and Romania near the Serbian port of Prahovo. Some of the ships are still laden with munitions. They belonged to Nazi Germany’s Black Sea fleet that was deliberately sunk by the Germans.
Leer más »
Danube Drought Reveals Hulks of World War II BattleshipsThe worst drought in Europe in decades hasn’t only scorched farmland and hampered river traffic. It also has exposed a part of World War II history that had almost been forgotten. The hulks of dozens of German battleships have emerged from the mighty Danube River as its water levels dropped. A rusty hull, a broken mast where the swastika flag used to fly, an upper deck where a command bridge used to be, a barrel that could have been holding fuel. They all lean on a pebblestone dune that has emerged in the middle of the huge river that separates Serbia and Romania near the Serbian port of Prahovo. Some of the ships are still laden with munitions. They belonged to Nazi Germany’s Black Sea fleet that was deliberately sunk by the Germans.
Leer más »
World War II Relics And Hunger Stones Emerge In European DroughtLake Mead isn't the only body of water giving up its secrets. Much of Europe is experiencing extreme drought, too.
Leer más »
Nazi warships revealed as Danube River levels dropThe Nazis deliberately sank the warships in 1944.
Leer más »