Das Boot Commander

[DanBiddle]

I'm just reading Das Boot again for the second time (yes I know, I'm slacking :P) and decided to research a little bit on Uboat.net. I understand that Buchheim actually went out on the real U-96, and based his description of the Commander in Das Boot on the actual commander of U-96 during the war, Kptlt. Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock. It certainly seems to ring true when you look at his picture and read the description of the Old Man in Dad Boot. (http://www.uboat.net/men/willenbrock.htm)

It also seems to reflect this in his history of Sailing ships, and it appears that Willenbrock went into sailing ships after the war. What I wanted to ask you was:

Does anyone know how accurately the 'Old man' was based on Willenbrock? Did Willenbrock share the same mannerisms and political views as the Old Man? Not sure where to find this information, but it would be nice to read a little further into the characters in Das Boot.

Your help is much appreciated!

Cheers,

Dan Biddle
Commander, U-24, Type II U-boat, Patrol 10

[gmuno]

"Das Boot" has got 2 sequels: "Die Festung", "Der Abschied". When their texts are true (mostly), then Buchheim has made a good portrait of Lehmann-Willenbrock in "Das Boot".

[Myxale]

Lo fellow Kaleuns!

gmuno is right! Buchheim, wrote more in his other Books about "den Alten"
In the last two bokks he actually tries to find some kind of closure. And also you'll learn more about his girlfriend Simone who went missing since his Patrol with U96!

You should really take a look at thoese. In his Book "Der Abschied" you find him together with Willenbrock on the Otto Hahan, there are alot of dialogues with him! Like the title says this book is a farewell to the "Alte" and the things the left behind!!

There are only some facts known! Like in that the "Alte" was not part of the NSDAP and that he was never big in the Reichs-Media!

He later became the Captain of the only German Nuclear Ship the NS Otto Hahn!

Buchheum states that his Books are no fiction, but also not portraits!
The rest is up to our imagination!

[Kruger]

So, Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock was a technical consultant in the shooting of Das Boot ?

[The Munster]

Hi, just out of curiousity.. do you know if there is an English text version of "Der Abschied" ?

[DanBiddle]

Thanks for the information about Buchheim's other books - I didn't know about them before. I'd also like to know if there are any English translations of Der Abschied or Die Festung.

Cheers,

Dan Biddle