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X Craft - British Midget Submarine - HMS Excelsior
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X Craft - British Midget Submarine - HMS Excelsior
The Interior of an X Craft - British Midget Submarine HMS Excelsior. Date: 1945
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Media ID 32376916
© Illustrated London News Ltd. / Mary Evans Picture Library
1945 Conning Coxswain Craft Excelsior Fortes Lieutenant Midget Submarine Submersible
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph offers a rare glimpse into the cramped and claustrophobic interior of HMS Excelsior, a British Midget Submarine from the 1940s. Built during World War II, these small submarines, also known as X-Craft, were designed for covert operations and were operated by a crew of just three - a captain, a lieutenant, and a coxswain. The image reveals the conning tower, the small elevated structure at the rear of the submarine from which the crew could navigate and attack enemy targets. The tower is crammed with an array of instruments, levers, and switches, all essential for the submarine's operation. The crew would have spent long hours in this confined space, under immense pressure, as they carried out their dangerous missions. The walls of the tower are adorned with various charts and maps, while the floor is covered in a thick layer of rubber matting to reduce noise and vibration. The small portholes provide the only source of natural light, casting an eerie glow over the scene. The X-Craft were a vital part of the Royal Navy's arsenal during World War II, and their successes helped to turn the tide of the war in the Atlantic. Despite their small size, these submarines were capable of delivering a significant punch, and their crews displayed incredible bravery and skill in carrying out their missions. This photograph is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the brave men who served aboard these little-known but essential vessels. It offers a glimpse into a world of claustrophobic confines, intense focus, and the relentless pursuit of victory in the face of great danger.
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