A good read... for every captain wannabe...

Shkval · 01-09-13, 10:23 AM

http://www.hnsa.org/doc/uboat/index.htm

VONHARRIS · 01-09-13, 11:20 AM

Nice find.

Gustav Schiebert · 01-09-13, 11:51 AM

Nice! I'll have to sit and skim through it while TC'ing across the Atlantic for weeks at a time ...

smolfri · 01-15-13, 10:32 AM

really nice, i just finished reading the handbook. you can really see the deportation in the writing. this clearly illustrates the German high command was worried about there u boat skippers backing out of suicide missions to save there boat and crew. i wonder how dramatic the difference in tactics and crew/boat safety would be between this handbook and on from 1939 - 1940.

Hinrich Schwab · 01-15-13, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smolfri

you can really see the deportation in the writing. this clearly illustrates the German high command was worried about there u boat skippers backing out of suicide missions to save there boat and crew.

That is actually a pretty presumptuous conclusion. The actual "suicide" orders did not come down until the time of the D-Day invasions and afterward. What the manual was stating was maintaining an extreme amount of aggression in attacks. Compared to the speed of some convoys, the U-boot was so pokey submerged that without aggressive maneuvering and generally hardcore strategies and attitudes, that there would be no chance of an attack at all. I have the reprint of this text and given that its dates are 1942 and "New Edition 1943", I can hypothesize that both the original publication and revision occurred before the disaster of May 1943. I would have to research the publication further to prove this out. The manual emphasizes accepting risks in an effort to prevent timidity upon the part of the captain. I never received the impression of insisting upon suicidal tactics. In fact, there are several places that authorize strategic withdrawal in the face of stern opposition.

nikimcbee · 01-20-13, 11:01 AM

You mean this:
http://www.amazon.com/The-U-Boat-Com.../dp/0939631210

U1260 · 01-20-13, 03:56 PM

I have that edition, bought it almost 20 years ago when seeing the U-505 in Chicago.

01-09-13, 10:23 AM	#1
Shkval Planesman Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 192 Downloads: 54 Uploads: 0	A good read... for every captain wannabe... http://www.hnsa.org/doc/uboat/index.htm __________________ Come closer... and die.

01-09-13, 11:51 AM	#3
Gustav Schiebert Sparky Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: AM52 Posts: 151 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	Nice! I'll have to sit and skim through it while TC'ing across the Atlantic for weeks at a time ... __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] GWX 3 + OLC Gold + 100% Realism + Commander "Attack! Always attack!"

01-20-13, 11:01 AM	#6
nikimcbee Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Patroling the Slot. Posts: 17,952 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	You mean this: http://www.amazon.com/The-U-Boat-Com.../dp/0939631210 __________________ Last edited by nikimcbee; 01-20-13 at 11:16 AM.

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01-09-13, 11:20 AM	#2
VONHARRIS Konteradmiral Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Greece Posts: 1,992 Downloads: 300 Uploads: 0	Nice find.

01-15-13, 10:32 AM	#4
smolfri Sailor man Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 45 Downloads: 218 Uploads: 0	really nice, i just finished reading the handbook. you can really see the deportation in the writing. this clearly illustrates the German high command was worried about there u boat skippers backing out of suicide missions to save there boat and crew. i wonder how dramatic the difference in tactics and crew/boat safety would be between this handbook and on from 1939 - 1940.

01-20-13, 03:56 PM	#7
U1260 Sailor man Join Date: May 2012 Location: St. Johns MI Posts: 50 Downloads: 366 Uploads: 0	I have that edition, bought it almost 20 years ago when seeing the U-505 in Chicago.