Donitz's war diary

Khayman · 05-21-06, 06:51 AM

Just found a link to the translated war diary of Donitz;

http://www.uboatarchive.net/BDUKTB.htm

I'm reading through the start of 1944, and there's some interesting stuff. Like orders for U-Boat crews to board sinking warships to obtain code books. Advice on the use of the schnorchel "Schnorchel for short periods at a time, 30-45 minutes". Also the "The development of torpedoes and pistols suitable for penetrating nets (pistols without lever, net cutters in the head and tail of the torpedo, slanted suspension lug)" which I'd never before heard about.

Quite useful for the game is Serial Order No.40 which gives the exact type and number of torpedoes to be loaded into each type of U-boat from April 1944.

Don't know if this link has been posted before. I'm off to read more...

kiwi_2005 · 05-21-06, 07:27 AM

This is great reading!

GlobalExplorer · 05-21-06, 08:20 AM

Sheer madness, this amount of information. I wonder if it is available as a single pdf.

Good find!

Ducimus · 05-21-06, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlobalExplorer

Sheer madness, this amount of information.

Good find!

Its the 1943 entries that have always intrested me most, unfortunatly they're missing. Ive read bits of Donitz diary here or there over the last few months and theres always some nice tidbit of info to be sure.

Khayman · 05-21-06, 10:26 AM

It covers 1943 up until the end of August. Going by the "Latest Updates" on the main page they are adding a new entry for 1943 every few days. So it will probably soon be fully covered.

Interesting leadership speech by Wolfgang LÃ¼th on that site as well. He entertained the men with lectures on Hitler and racial problems? Sounds err...exciting

05-21-06, 06:51 AM	#1
Khayman Lieutenant Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Scotland Posts: 258 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	Donitz's war diary Just found a link to the translated war diary of Donitz; http://www.uboatarchive.net/BDUKTB.htm I'm reading through the start of 1944, and there's some interesting stuff. Like orders for U-Boat crews to board sinking warships to obtain code books. Advice on the use of the schnorchel "Schnorchel for short periods at a time, 30-45 minutes". Also the "The development of torpedoes and pistols suitable for penetrating nets (pistols without lever, net cutters in the head and tail of the torpedo, slanted suspension lug)" which I'd never before heard about. Quite useful for the game is Serial Order No.40 which gives the exact type and number of torpedoes to be loaded into each type of U-boat from April 1944. Don't know if this link has been posted before. I'm off to read more...

05-21-06, 07:27 AM	#2
kiwi_2005 Eternal Patrol Join Date: May 2004 Location: Aeoteroa Posts: 7,382 Downloads: 223 Uploads: 1	This is great reading! __________________ RIP kiwi_2005 Those who can't laugh at themselves leave the job to others.

05-21-06, 08:20 AM	#3
GlobalExplorer Admiral Join Date: May 2005 Location: Berlin Posts: 2,015 Downloads: 165 Uploads: 0	Sheer madness, this amount of information. I wonder if it is available as a single pdf. Good find! __________________

05-21-06, 10:26 AM	#5
Khayman Lieutenant Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Scotland Posts: 258 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	It covers 1943 up until the end of August. Going by the "Latest Updates" on the main page they are adding a new entry for 1943 every few days. So it will probably soon be fully covered. Interesting leadership speech by Wolfgang LÃ¼th on that site as well. He entertained the men with lectures on Hitler and racial problems? Sounds err...exciting