FROM A number of German Nazi submarines that act in Indonesian waters, U-196 still holds a mystery related to its existence.

Until now, the fate of Type IXD2 submarine was only reportedly lost in the South Sea (another name for the southern Indian Ocean).

U-196 is declared missing with all 65 crew members off the coast of Sukabumi since December 1, 1944.

A day earlier, the submarine commanded by Werner Striegler was suspected of fate nahas while diving.

The U-196 submarine left Jakarta on November 29, 1944, but then it was unknown their last position after passing the Sunda Strait.

The last routine message of the submarine on November 30, 1944 just "preach" was hit by an explosion due to hit a sea mine and then drowned.

However, from the uncertainty of the fate of the U-196 crew, there is one name that is declared dead in Indonesia. He is Lieutenant Dr. Heinz Haake whose grave is in Kampung Arca Domas Bogor, along with nine other Nazi German soldiers.

Minimal notes why Haake's body can be buried there while his other colleagues are unclear to his fate. Only reportedly, he was buried at the request of his family.

During his career, U-196 never recorded the achievements while still commanded by previous commander, Friedrich Kentrat.

The submarine performed the longest patrol duty in the depths of the sea for 225 days, from March 13 to October 23, 1943. The ship sank three enemy ships with a total weight of 17,739 GRT.

Friedrich Kentrat's position was later replaced by Werner Striegler (former U-IT 23 commander) from October 1, 1944 until then U-196 suffered a month later.

Nevertheless, some experts are still speculating over the unclear fate of most U-196 crew. Although in general they are declared missing along with the submarine in the South Sea, there is a suspect most survived.

To Chile?

It is said that the ship came to South America and then some of its crew settled in Iqueque, Chile. From there, it is unclear whether the U-196 finally really rested there, whether then submarine was drowned or sold to tukang loak as scrap metal, and others.

Someone who sent an email from England, sent back October 14, 2004, is still looking for clear information about the existence of the fate of the U-196 crew.

He suspected, U-196 actually did not have an accident hit by landmines around the Sunda Strait and Sea Kidul while the crew then settled in Chile.

His confidence was obtained after reading newspapers in Chile, a number of German submarine crew had gathered in Iqueque in 1945. They arrived simultaneously with Almirante Latorre cruisers escorting them during a trip from the Indian Ocean.

Under the protection of the cruiser, the submarine was several times hiding in the waters of several islands before finally anchored on the South Coast of Chile.

The thing that raises the question, why after arriving in Chile, none of his crew returned to Germany or tried to rejoin their union. Additionally, the lack of news over the last 50 years that seems to "darken"the clarity of the fate of U-196 compared to other u-boats that are equally in action in Indonesia.

If only Dr. Heinz Haake is still alive and becomes an Indonesian citizen, perhaps he can tell the events that actually happened to U-196.

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