Buchheim's Photo Book "U-Boat War"

Subnuts · 06-14-09, 10:15 PM

I received a used copy of Lothar-Gunther Buchheim's photo essay U-Boat War in the mail yesterday, and all I can say is...wow! Some of these photos are absolutely mindblowing. There's a whole series of photos taken inside U-96's control room during the middle of a depth charge attack, most of them with a big "seam" running through them due to the camera shutter being damaged during the attack. In some of his storm shots, the entire photo is mottled with white splotches from saltwater leaking into the camera. Another example of a camera failure actually adding to the immediacy of the image. In one of the shots of U572 along U96 in the storm, U96 is being lifted up by a huge wave, and from Buchheim's perspective, the other boat is so close that it looks like it was photographed by a low-flying aircraft.

It's pretty funny that Buchheim was an artist and not a photographer, as so many of these pictures are so wonderfully moody and gritty. It's also interesting that, compared to the war correspondant in Das Boot, he was really "in the action" the entire voyage. He was taking shots inside the engine room the moment an alarm was sounded, dangling from the Wintergarden at precarious angles to get good shots of the boat, and sneaking in quick shots of the crew at work at every opportunity.

I've been searching for a copy for years, and I found one on Amazon for $8. If you can find a copy for even twice that, I wouldn't hesitate to jump on it. This might be the best collection of U-boat photos I've ever seen.

Jimbuna · 06-15-09, 04:41 AM

I shall purchase this book on your recommendation sir

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_...+War&x=11&y=12

nikbear · 06-15-09, 05:56 AM

Cool,its always nice to get a good recommendation

I'm getting some new books this week so this is very handy,thanks SN

Torplexed · 06-15-09, 06:58 AM

I found a copy in a used book store about a decade ago. Quite a nice visual resource. I think the fact that Buchheim was an artist is part of the reason the photography is so striking. They often go hand in hand.

BulSoldier · 06-15-09, 08:57 AM

Im interested could you post few pictures of it ?

mookiemookie · 06-15-09, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbuna

I shall purchase this book on your recommendation sir

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_...+War&x=11&y=12

Me too. Upon your recommendation, I just bought it.

Subnuts · 06-15-09, 02:56 PM

As requested, from scans from this book. The book also has some pictures taken by Buchheim of St. Nazaire before the patrol, and some taken when he was on the last U-boat to escape from France, but here are some taken during his U-96 patrol:

Jimbuna · 06-15-09, 04:40 PM

Cheers

alexradu89 · 06-16-09, 04:09 PM

wow! simply WOW!... i want that

is there a way we could... like, download this as an e-book ? :s ... i'd really like to see some more pictures of this

fisherstoys1 · 06-17-09, 10:42 AM

How about the book Wolf Pack, by Gordon Williamson it is an Osprey book. 262 pages long and great pics. It covers everything even the still existing bunkers.

Grant

06-17-09, 12:48 PM

Some of those photos remind me greatly of Das Boot. Do you think Peterson used them as inspiration? I do.

nikimcbee · 08-16-09, 12:21 AM

Ha, this was one of my first uboat books.

Dowly · 08-17-09, 11:28 AM

Now that I think of it, I think this was the first time I saw the real life Der Alte.

maxextz · 08-17-09, 12:50 PM

wow id like that book but im not paying £94 or nearly 120 dollars for a book
cant believe nobody's mentioned the outrages price

ill buy the second one.

Sailor Steve · 08-17-09, 12:57 PM

I just ordered a used copy for $7 and change. After tax and shipping I paid $11.50.

Here it is for just a little more on Amazon UK.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss?...rds=u-boat+war

06-14-09, 10:15 PM	#1
Subnuts The Old Man Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,658 Downloads: 14 Uploads: 0	Buchheim's Photo Book "U-Boat War" I received a used copy of Lothar-Gunther Buchheim's photo essay U-Boat War in the mail yesterday, and all I can say is...wow! Some of these photos are absolutely mindblowing. There's a whole series of photos taken inside U-96's control room during the middle of a depth charge attack, most of them with a big "seam" running through them due to the camera shutter being damaged during the attack. In some of his storm shots, the entire photo is mottled with white splotches from saltwater leaking into the camera. Another example of a camera failure actually adding to the immediacy of the image. In one of the shots of U572 along U96 in the storm, U96 is being lifted up by a huge wave, and from Buchheim's perspective, the other boat is so close that it looks like it was photographed by a low-flying aircraft. It's pretty funny that Buchheim was an artist and not a photographer, as so many of these pictures are so wonderfully moody and gritty. It's also interesting that, compared to the war correspondant in Das Boot, he was really "in the action" the entire voyage. He was taking shots inside the engine room the moment an alarm was sounded, dangling from the Wintergarden at precarious angles to get good shots of the boat, and sneaking in quick shots of the crew at work at every opportunity. I've been searching for a copy for years, and I found one on Amazon for $8. If you can find a copy for even twice that, I wouldn't hesitate to jump on it. This might be the best collection of U-boat photos I've ever seen. __________________ My Amazon.com reviews

06-15-09, 04:41 AM	#2
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 191,185 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	I shall purchase this book on your recommendation sir http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_...+War&x=11&y=12 __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

06-15-09, 05:56 AM	#3
nikbear Sea Lord Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Northampton,UK Posts: 1,859 Downloads: 86 Uploads: 0	Cool,its always nice to get a good recommendationI'm getting some new books this week so this is very handy,thanks SN __________________ 'It is not surely known when the grey wolf shall come upon the seat of the gods' Ericksmal.

06-15-09, 08:57 AM	#5
BulSoldier Samurai Navy Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Burgas/Bulgaria Posts: 550 Downloads: 40 Uploads: 0	Im interested could you post few pictures of it ? __________________ By the hour !

06-15-09, 02:56 PM	#7
Subnuts The Old Man Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,658 Downloads: 14 Uploads: 0	As requested, from scans from this book. The book also has some pictures taken by Buchheim of St. Nazaire before the patrol, and some taken when he was on the last U-boat to escape from France, but here are some taken during his U-96 patrol: __________________ My Amazon.com reviews

06-15-09, 06:58 AM	#4
Torplexed Let's Sink Sumptin' ! Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 5,823 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	I found a copy in a used book store about a decade ago. Quite a nice visual resource. I think the fact that Buchheim was an artist is part of the reason the photography is so striking. They often go hand in hand.

06-15-09, 04:40 PM	#8
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 191,185 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Cheers __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

06-16-09, 04:09 PM	#9
alexradu89 Lieutenant Join Date: May 2009 Location: Romania Posts: 259 Downloads: 94 Uploads: 0	wow! simply WOW!... i want that is there a way we could... like, download this as an e-book ? :s ... i'd really like to see some more pictures of this

06-17-09, 10:42 AM	#10
fisherstoys1 Seaman Join Date: May 2009 Location: Toronto Posts: 33 Downloads: 55 Uploads: 0	How about Wolf Pack How about the book Wolf Pack, by Gordon Williamson it is an Osprey book. 262 pages long and great pics. It covers everything even the still existing bunkers. Grant

06-17-09, 12:48 PM	#11
CastleBravo Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	Some of those photos remind me greatly of Das Boot. Do you think Peterson used them as inspiration? I do.

08-16-09, 12:21 AM	#12
nikimcbee Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Patroling the Slot. Posts: 17,952 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	Ha, this was one of my first uboat books. __________________

08-17-09, 11:28 AM	#13
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,056 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	Now that I think of it, I think this was the first time I saw the real life Der Alte.

08-17-09, 12:50 PM	#14
maxextz Loader Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Dublin Ireland Posts: 82 Downloads: 18 Uploads: 0	wow id like that book but im not paying £94 or nearly 120 dollars for a book cant believe nobody's mentioned the outrages price ill buy the second one. __________________

08-17-09, 12:57 PM	#15
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	I just ordered a used copy for $7 and change. After tax and shipping I paid $11.50. Here it is for just a little more on Amazon UK. http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss?...rds=u-boat+war __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo