A quick internet search of U-234 will reveal two seemingly divergent routes of enquiry.
U-234 was a German submarine that surrendered to USS Sutton on 14 May, 1945 when hostilities in the European Theatre ended. It was later sunk by the US during sea trials. You can find all the usual info about the submarine and it’s military purposes online, if that’s your kind of thing.
Big Rock of Uranium
U-234 is also a naturally occuring isotope of uranium. Enriched uranium contains a greater percentage of U-234 than its natural state. Were it needed to isolate U-234 then large-scale extraction of 234U from natural uranium would only be feasible by isotope separation. I failed chemistry so that is about as far as I can understand about this fascinating substance’s characteristics and abilities.
The Interesting Bit
Anyway, the thing is, U-234 the submarine was carrying a hardcore cargo straight from an Indiana Jones storyline; electric torpedoes, 2 Messerschmidt Me 262 jet fighters in crates(!), and 560 kg of uranium oxide which was stored in her sea-mine shafts, contained in about 50 9 inches (230 mm) lead cubes, with “U-235″ painted on each. It has been established that Germany had been working towards nuclear technology (link to Skis Against The Atom) but the fact that they were sending this uranium to Japan caused much worry, naturally enough.
She also had an interesting human cargo, five German VIPs and two Japanese. The German personnel included General Ulrich Kessler of the Luftwaffe, who was to take over Luftwaffe liaison duties in Tokyo; Kai Nieschling, a Naval Fleet Judge Advocate who was to try cases of German traitors in Japan; Dr. Heinz Schlicke (a renowned German scientist later recruited by the USA in Operation Paperclip); and an expert on the V-2 rocket. The Japanese passengers were Lieutenant Commander Hideo Tomonaga of the Imperial Japanese Navy , a submarine designer, and Lieutenant Commander Genzo Shoji, an aviation expert. The two Japanese passengers, upon learning that the U-boat was to surrender, took an overdose of Luminol (a barbiturate sleeping pill), died in their sleep, and were buried at sea.
It is believed the uranium was removed at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. In a move pre-emptive of the paranoia of the coming Cold War the fact that she had a half ton of uranium oxide on board was covered up and remained classified.
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