Its like those Germans have a different word for everything!
 

I am confused (not exactly breaking news)

What is BdU?

Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote Commander-in-Chief for submarines. So BdU is a person's position?

What is FdU?

Führer der Unterseeboote Chief/Leader/Head/Commander of U-boats. So is this also a person's position?

Would the BdU and the FdU be the same dude?

Or is BdU the Office of the Commander-in-Chief for Submarines and the FdU is the head dude himself? Was Donitz the FdU in the BdU?

Is BdU more commonly used in the context of "headquarters" as in "we have received orders from BdU" or "we need to contact BdU". I am pretty sure that when a Uboat "contacted BdU" they were not talking directly to the Gorsse Lowe himself, but to a staff officer in the BdU.

Does that sound correct?

I just want to keep my "F" and "B" straight.

Both mean both the position and the office.

FdU (Dönitz) was the supreme command of subs until the war broke out and the BdU was established. BdU (again Dönitz) took over supreme command while FdUs were regional commands.

At least that´s what german wiki says. ;)

I have found this to be most helpful:

http://www.ubootwaffe.net/glossary/glossary.cgi

BdU = Commander in Chief for U-boats
FdU = Flag Officer for U-boats

As MoN indicated, BdU (and FdU) could be used both for the individual who held the position as well as for his staff (as a unit) and his headquarters.

Sie neigen dazu, nur selten verwechselt ,
 

werden, dann sind Sie ein Held des Dritten Reiches,und verdienen Sie BDU FDU und gut....

So FdU was a "pre war" term and BdU replaced it during the war?

Yes, FdU was re-titled BdU about a month into the war. So to make things simple, you can consider the term interchangeable.

Muchy thanks :salute:

I love those translations. :har: