Politics of U-boat Captains

Van Z · 06-02-07, 07:28 PM

Hello all,
I've recently got into SH3, and from reading these forums I see there are a lot of folks well steeped in the history of the Battle of the Atlantic and the combatants involved (now's a good time to tilt my Captain's hat at those involved with the excellent GWX and SH Commander mods!).
As someone who's interested in history & politics (I'm a right hoot down the pub

) I'm curious as to the political motivations behind the U-Boat captains...
I know that political propaganda was rife on ALL sides of the war, but I'm wondering how seriously the Kaleuns took the National Socialist philosophy.
In the book "Hunt for the Red October", there is a commisar aboard who's job it is to see that crew are politically motivated towards the ideals of the Soviet Union. Did the Nazis employ similar methods? From what I know, the S.S. were die-hard Nazi fanatics, but did this fanaticism extend to the Kriegsmarine?
Personally, I think that the Kriegsmarine, along with the majority of the armed forces of that regime, took their orders as all men of war do... unquestioned to the political motives behind them, and to just do their job.
I'd love to hear people's opinions and any facts on this topic; I'm in the U-9, by the way, a rusty Type II-A. Lovely boat.
Thanks, and see soon!

Brag · 06-02-07, 08:09 PM

The Kriegsmarine kept pretty much the policy of the Impreial navy of apolitical officers. Hitler complained about it on several known occasions.

bigboywooly · 06-02-07, 08:21 PM

Hi and welcome Van Z

While every branch of the German armed forces had their fair share of nazis there were plenty who werent
No doubt they were gratefull to Hitler for providing them with employment and would have gone to war for their country no matter who was in charge

I have read that the uboatwaffe was the least fervant supporters of the nazi regime

Enjoy your stay among this den of pirates

Packerton · 06-02-07, 08:22 PM

Who can blame them I woulden follow such twisted beliefs even if he did bring the country out of the hole.

Iron Budokan · 06-02-07, 11:13 PM

The Kriegsmarine was the most apolitical branch of the services in the German war machine. But this all changed after the attempt to kill Hitler in '44 by his generals. Already paranoid, Hitler now wanted total obedience and obsiescence from all branches of the service, even the kriegsmarine who had up until this time been able to demonstrate some autonomy...at least as far as politics goes. But after the conspiracy to kill Hitler by his generals failed, then the Kriegsmarine became very politically oriented indeed.

DrMilton · 06-03-07, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iron Budokan

The Kriegsmarine was the most apolitical branch of the services in the German war machine.

Nevertheless, there are historical accounts of several commanders showing more or less their favorism to Hitler. I cant say if that makes them nazists or fanatics but IMO there must have been an affiliation with Hitler's ideology.

06-02-07, 07:28 PM	#1
Van Z Nub Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Politics of U-boat Captains Hello all, I've recently got into SH3, and from reading these forums I see there are a lot of folks well steeped in the history of the Battle of the Atlantic and the combatants involved (now's a good time to tilt my Captain's hat at those involved with the excellent GWX and SH Commander mods!). As someone who's interested in history & politics (I'm a right hoot down the pub ) I'm curious as to the political motivations behind the U-Boat captains... I know that political propaganda was rife on ALL sides of the war, but I'm wondering how seriously the Kaleuns took the National Socialist philosophy. In the book "Hunt for the Red October", there is a commisar aboard who's job it is to see that crew are politically motivated towards the ideals of the Soviet Union. Did the Nazis employ similar methods? From what I know, the S.S. were die-hard Nazi fanatics, but did this fanaticism extend to the Kriegsmarine? Personally, I think that the Kriegsmarine, along with the majority of the armed forces of that regime, took their orders as all men of war do... unquestioned to the political motives behind them, and to just do their job. I'd love to hear people's opinions and any facts on this topic; I'm in the U-9, by the way, a rusty Type II-A. Lovely boat. Thanks, and see soon!

06-02-07, 08:09 PM	#2
Brag Navy Seal Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Docked on a Russian pond Posts: 7,072 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	The Kriegsmarine kept pretty much the policy of the Impreial navy of apolitical officers. Hitler complained about it on several known occasions. __________________ 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/

06-02-07, 08:21 PM	#3
bigboywooly Rear Admiral Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Swindon, England Posts: 10,151 Downloads: 35 Uploads: 0	Hi and welcome Van Z While every branch of the German armed forces had their fair share of nazis there were plenty who werent No doubt they were gratefull to Hitler for providing them with employment and would have gone to war for their country no matter who was in charge I have read that the uboatwaffe was the least fervant supporters of the nazi regime Enjoy your stay among this den of pirates __________________ My mediafire page http://www.mediafire.com/?11eoq19bq9r41

06-02-07, 11:13 PM	#5
Iron Budokan Sea Lord Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 1,778 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	The Kriegsmarine was the most apolitical branch of the services in the German war machine. But this all changed after the attempt to kill Hitler in '44 by his generals. Already paranoid, Hitler now wanted total obedience and obsiescence from all branches of the service, even the kriegsmarine who had up until this time been able to demonstrate some autonomy...at least as far as politics goes. But after the conspiracy to kill Hitler by his generals failed, then the Kriegsmarine became very politically oriented indeed. __________________ "You will take on England wherever you find her ships, and you will break her power at sea." --Iron Coffins, Herbert A. Werner http://kennethmarkhoover.com

06-02-07, 08:22 PM	#4
Packerton Sonar Guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Newfoundland,Canada Posts: 398 Downloads: 6 Uploads: 0	Who can blame them I woulden follow such twisted beliefs even if he did bring the country out of the hole.