Go ahead and read the book. The author Lothar Günther Buchheim experienced all this you see in the film - although it seems he bundled his whole war experiences in one patrol. But this does not make it less real.
The book is written in 1st person view - in the film Buchheim's part is acted by Lt. Werner.
After reading the book the film is even more immersive, because you know what they are thinking in all those stretched moments of silence!
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commissioned 01APR1941 - 1.Flotilla Brest - 110,000 GRT total - 84 days at sea
*click pic to see how the real U-556 fared*
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