Underwater explorers led by Robert Ballard have released images of a sunken Nazi U-boat submarine off the coast of Texas in the Gulf of Mexico. The 22 Nazi U-Boats that were deployed to the Gulf of Mexico reportedly sank a total of around fifty American ships during World War II, but the Americans only managed to sink one of the German U-Boats in the Gulf.

Underwater explorers led by Robert Ballard have released images of a sunken Nazi U-boat submarine off the coast of Texas.

The wreck was first found in 2001 however these new images were taken just a few days ago.

The 22 Nazi U-Boats that were deployed to the Gulf of Mexico reportedly sank a total of around fifty American ships during World War II, but the Americans only managed to sink one of the German U-Boats in the Gulf.

Ballard is quoted as saying: "Hitler brought the war to our doorstep shortly after they declared war on us, so this was something that most American people do not realize: How close the war came, and how threatening it was. They were extremely successful."

This U-166 reportedly destroyed four boats during the month of July,1942, including three American boats and one flying a flag from the Dominican Republic.

It was eventually shot down by a US Navy patrol boat.