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