The German Arado Ar 196 holds a truly bizarre record in naval history as one of the only aircraft to ever capture a submarine.
In May 1940, the British submarine HMS Seal became trapped in a minefield in the Kattegat strait. After sustaining heavy damage, the sub was forced to surface, unable to dive or escape.
Two German Arado Ar 196 floatplanes spotted the vulnerable vessel from above. Instead of just reporting the position, the pilots immediately attacked with bombs and strafed the deck with their 20mm cannons.
With his steering gear wrecked and no way to submerge, the British commander did the unthinkable. He waved a white mess cloth, signaling surrender to the circling aircraft. One of the Arado pilots actually landed his floatplane on the water next to the submarine, taxied over, and took the British captain aboard as a prisoner.
HOLY TOLEDO!*
We got ourselves a patriot in the air!
A Cessna with tail number N4936T just completed a USA 250th flight complete with map of the lower 48.
Impressive.👍
*And Cleveland.
https://t.co/tnu750f1UZ