How was time in port really spent?

The_Blockade_Runner · 02-25-08, 02:25 PM

Spending about an average of a month in port between patrol, I wondered what the real crews did. Were they required to stay on base or were they allowed free roam around Germany/France to see their families and do other fun stuff?

Uncle Goose · 02-25-08, 02:31 PM

Some officers had the oppurtunity to go home but lower ranks had to stay in port because they still had duties aboard the submarine. When they were off duty they spended their time in the bars and brothels of the city. Many gave out their whole earnings to hookers which were plentyfull in the harbours of those times.

PhantomLord · 02-26-08, 11:06 AM

Officers (chief officers like engineer, radioman, torpedo and so on) had to stay for a couple of days. Their duty was to write repair orders for dockyard crew, monitioring the work progress as well. Other crewmen could be called up for advanced training courses or something like that (learn new tactics, new technical things) or courses for to climb up a rank (maybe from .

Vacation was arranged in shifts. Around 50% of the whole crew had to stay, the others can do what they want - stay in port with all the bars and hookers, leave france to visit family at home...
By the way i don´t know if the vacation at home had to be requested or something. At least

Brag · 02-26-08, 11:23 AM

Good part of the time was spent in WC. He, he, not what you think (in the head, loo, potty room.

But W (whoring) C (carousing). :rotfl:

:rotfl:

Jimbuna · 02-26-08, 11:28 AM

So how did they find the time to attend church services and choir practice

Brag · 02-26-08, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbuna

So how did they find the time to attend church services and choir practice

I doonnow

<--singing and twirling ---> preparing to go to church--->

(Smileys pilfered from Jimbuna)

klh · 02-26-08, 11:44 AM

I would highly recommend the book "Steel Boats, Iron Hearts" by Hans Goebeler. He tells some great stories relating to your question.

von hally · 02-26-08, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klh

I would highly recommend the book "Steel Boats, Iron Hearts" by Hans Goebeler. He tells some great stories relating to your question.

yea and Iron Coffins by H.Werner will give you a pretty good insight as to what happens between patrols!!

PhantomLord · 02-26-08, 11:58 AM

"Wolfgang Hirschfeld - Secret diary of a U-Boat"

ToySoldier · 02-26-08, 12:16 PM

Hi out there!

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhantomLord

Officers (chief officers like engineer, radioman, torpedo and so on) had to stay for a couple of days. Their duty was to write repair orders for dockyard crew, monitioring the work progress as well. Other crewmen could be called up for advanced training courses or something like that (learn new tactics, new technical things) or courses for to climb up a rank (maybe from .

Vacation was arranged in shifts. Around 50% of the whole crew had to stay, the others can do what they want - stay in port with all the bars and hookers, leave france to visit family at home...
By the way i don´t know if the vacation at home had to be requested or something. At least

So far I knew the same.

The U-Boot crews have had 12 days holiday after a patrol. The Lion (Dönitz) has "ordered" a special train for his U-Boot men, which transport them to their "home" harbour, from were they take a train to hometown.
And normally you have to request for the holiday, only with Soldbuch and Urlaubsschein (ID-papers and holiday-sheet) you could proof that you not were away from troop without permisen! And the Urlaubsschein function like a train card ... they only haven´t to pay.

In diesem Sinne
Gott mit Uns
Frank B. aus K

Jimbuna · 02-26-08, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brag

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbuna

So how did they find the time to attend church services and choir practice

I doonnow

<--singing and twirling ---> preparing to go to church--->

(Smileys pilfered from Jimbuna)

Brag · 02-26-08, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbuna

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brag

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbuna

So how did they find the time to attend church services and choir practice

I doonnow

<--singing and twirling ---> preparing to go to church--->

(Smileys pilfered from Jimbuna)

I can't believe this :rotfl: :rotfl:

Jimbuna · 02-26-08, 04:26 PM

Sailor Steve · 02-26-08, 04:28 PM

Jim, I think you should change your sub-title to 'King of the Smileys'.

Brag · 02-26-08, 04:35 PM

Ballerinas! Let's turn around and go back to port!

02-25-08, 02:25 PM	#1
The_Blockade_Runner Sparky Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 156 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	How was time in port really spent? Spending about an average of a month in port between patrol, I wondered what the real crews did. Were they required to stay on base or were they allowed free roam around Germany/France to see their families and do other fun stuff? __________________ U boat warfare, Product of German Engineering. German Engineering in da house

02-26-08, 11:06 AM	#3
PhantomLord XO Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Berlin, Germany Posts: 408 Downloads: 124 Uploads: 0	Officers (chief officers like engineer, radioman, torpedo and so on) had to stay for a couple of days. Their duty was to write repair orders for dockyard crew, monitioring the work progress as well. Other crewmen could be called up for advanced training courses or something like that (learn new tactics, new technical things) or courses for to climb up a rank (maybe from . Vacation was arranged in shifts. Around 50% of the whole crew had to stay, the others can do what they want - stay in port with all the bars and hookers, leave france to visit family at home... By the way i don´t know if the vacation at home had to be requested or something. At least __________________ ~^~ War does not determine who is right - only who is left. ~^~

02-26-08, 11:23 AM	#4
Brag Navy Seal Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Docked on a Russian pond Posts: 7,072 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	Good part of the time was spent in WC. He, he, not what you think (in the head, loo, potty room. But W (whoring) C (carousing). :rotfl: :rotfl: __________________ Espionage, adventure, suspense, are just a click away Click here to look inside Brag's book: Amazon.com: Kingmaker: Alexey Braguine: Books Order Kingmaker here: http://www.subsim.com/store.html For Tactics visit:http://www.freewebs.com/kielman/

02-26-08, 11:28 AM	#5
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,500 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	So how did they find the time to attend church services and choir practice __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

02-26-08, 11:58 AM	#9
PhantomLord XO Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Berlin, Germany Posts: 408 Downloads: 124 Uploads: 0	"Wolfgang Hirschfeld - Secret diary of a U-Boat" __________________ ~^~ War does not determine who is right - only who is left. ~^~

02-25-08, 02:31 PM	#2
Uncle Goose Torpedoman Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 113 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Some officers had the oppurtunity to go home but lower ranks had to stay in port because they still had duties aboard the submarine. When they were off duty they spended their time in the bars and brothels of the city. Many gave out their whole earnings to hookers which were plentyfull in the harbours of those times.

02-26-08, 11:44 AM	#7
klh Der Alte Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Indiana, USA Posts: 227 Downloads: 200 Uploads: 0	I would highly recommend the book "Steel Boats, Iron Hearts" by Hans Goebeler. He tells some great stories relating to your question.

02-26-08, 04:26 PM	#13
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,500 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	__________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

02-26-08, 04:28 PM	#14
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	Jim, I think you should change your sub-title to 'King of the Smileys'. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

02-26-08, 04:35 PM	#15
Brag Navy Seal Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Docked on a Russian pond Posts: 7,072 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	Ballerinas! Let's turn around and go back to port! __________________ Espionage, adventure, suspense, are just a click away Click here to look inside Brag's book: Amazon.com: Kingmaker: Alexey Braguine: Books Order Kingmaker here: http://www.subsim.com/store.html For Tactics visit:http://www.freewebs.com/kielman/