Franz Machen
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Matrosengefreiter Franz Machen was the only survivor of the sinking of U-512. His story strikes remarkable similarities with Klaus Bargsten of U-521.
On October 2nd, 1942 several hundred kilometers north of Cayenne (in position 06.50N, 52.25W) U-512 was intercepted by depth charges from an American B-18 A aircraft (US Army Bomb. Sqdn. 99). The german submarine quickly filled with water, and left the entire crew panicking in fear. In the next several minutes, tragedy would claim all 51 crewmen except for one, Franz Machen.
As the sole survivor, he spent 10 days on a life raft which the aircraft dropped to his aid before being rescued by the United States destroyer, USS Ellis (DD-154). He survived partly by killing and eating seabirds that attacked him while he lay exposed on the raft which kept him alive.
Not much is known about Matrosengefreiter Franz Machen except for his miraculous story detailed in his interrogation on the Ellis. His birthdate and date of death (if any) are still unknown.
