How close did the Germans get to the US in WWII?

CW3 Kevin Storm — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 11:59:17 -0400

Well for certain we have actual proof they got to within 7 miles the day before the war ended. As a native Rhode Islander I find it fascinating that they got this close to shore, that late in the war:

http://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/scientists-explore-wreck-sunken-u-boat-rhode-island-n421916

Scientists Explore Wreck of Sunken U-Boat off Rhode Island

Scientists are using submersibles to explore a German U-boat sunk off the Rhode Island coast the day before Nazi Germany surrendered in World War II.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Oct 2 at 2015 12:01 PM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 12:01:40 -0400

They actually landed spies during the war.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2015 12:01 PM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 12:01:41 -0400

This stuff was kept very quiet during the was, but they were also in the Gulf of Mexico.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2015 12:03 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 12:03:46 -0400

Well, German U-Boats were torpedoing shipping vessels off the coast of the US during the entirety of World War 2.

Response by SGT David T. made Oct 2 at 2015 12:06 PM

SGT David T. — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 12:06:28 -0400

I remember hearing stories that the Germans got so close they could hear the music from Coney Island. Not sure how true this is though.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2015 12:32 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 12:32:14 -0400

There is a sunken U-Boat off of Nag's Head, NC that is in pretty shallow water as it's captain ran it aground after being damaged by US ASW assets. It is a pretty cool dive site, but one you have to be very careful around. The currents are nasty.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Oct 2 at 2015 12:44 PM

LTC Bink Romanick — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 12:44:28 -0400

I've heard that a U boat took periscope pictures of the Statue of Liberty

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2015 1:06 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 13:06:48 -0400

http://www.history.com/news/history-lists/5-attacks-on-u-s-soil-during-world-war-ii

5 Attacks on U.S. Soil During World War II - History Lists

The Germans and Japanese waged small-scale campaigns of bombing, sabotage and espionage on American soil during World War II.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2015 1:08 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 13:08:36 -0400

https://almostchosenpeople.wordpress.com/2012/09/09/september-9-1942-lookout-air-raid/

September 9, 1942: Lookout Air Raid

One of the more daring air raids of World War II, on September 9, 1942 a Japanese float plane piloted by Warrant Office Nobou Fujita took off from the I-25 , a Japanese submarine, that was off Cape...

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 2 at 2015 3:00 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 15:00:07 -0400

What is key is the German Navy was incapable of invading us by sea.

Response by CSM William Payne made Oct 2 at 2015 3:42 PM

CSM William Payne — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 15:42:49 -0400

In Hampton Roads they actually went to blackouts during the war because the U-boats used to sit off the shore of Cape Henry and wait for the ships to come out. Several U-boats were sunk in that area.

Response by Sgt Ken Prescott made Oct 2 at 2015 7:53 PM

Sgt Ken Prescott — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 19:53:01 -0400

They landed spies on American shores, and they torpedoed ships within sight of the American coast.

Response by SGT Dana Williams made Oct 3 at 2015 9:10 AM

SGT Dana Williams — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 09:10:52 -0400

How close did they come? An upgraded Focke Wulf "Condor", dubbed the "New York" bomber entered US airspace in 1944 without being detected. However, by that time, the majority of aircraft resources were being directed to the ME-262 for Defense of the Reichand there were only a few prototypes constructed.