Ing, others for supplying the roving hunters. Still more U-boats were employed carrying goods from the far east to the Fatherland.
Men who served in the U-boat arm of the Kriegsmarine (German Navy) were considered the elite by their countrymen - although they were loathed and detested by the British. There can be little doubt that they had strong nerves and plenty of courage. Some were volunteers, attracted by the excitement the service appeared to offer. This was perpetuated by the public accolades awarded to U-boat aces like Gunther Prien and Joachim Schepke. U-boat men also got about double the rates of pay awarded to other sailors.
Other men who found themselves serving on the U-boats were naval recruits who had been drafted.
Yet aboard a U-boat, the day-today life was far from glamorous. Conditions were cramped. There was a curtained-off cabin for the captain but there were not enough beds for every member of the crew. Some men slept in hammocks, while others slept on the floor.
¦ LIFE EXPECTANCY ¦
Until hostilities began with America, the U-boat commanders had little idea of the distances their crafts were able to travel. They were pleasantly surprised to find they could cruise far further than they ever thought possible if they conserved fuel by keeping to reasonable speeds and travelled on the surface.
More supplies were needed on a long voyage, however. They took up valuable living accommodation, leaving the crew of about 50 even fewer comforts. Water was rationed
And the opportunities for washing were few. The atmosphere was squalid, sweaty and unpleasant.
Laicia:
Early models were even more spartan than the rest. There was inadequate heating aboard. So men soaked from taking their turn on the watch when the boat was on the surface found themselves unable to dry their sodden clothes. Men wore layers of jumpers and still felt chilled.
When the most primitive U-boats were forced to submerge, the men
Above: A U-boat is armed with a giant torpedo before a trip.
Left: Sailors stood little chance when a U-boat was blown up.
Had to wear breathing masks to prevent poisoning by carbon monoxide. Later, more sophisticated air purifiers were built into the wall of the ships, so masks became obselete.
Voyages lasted for months at a time and there w’as little chance to
The greatest shadow over a U-boat crewman was his brief life expectancy
Breath fresh air. U-boat men operating in the darkened Arctic region during the winter months were known to queue up patiently for a glimpse of sunlight.
Perhaps the greatest shadow over the life of a U-boat crewman, thtiugh, was his brief lite expectancy.
World History
