First time inside a submarine - changed my perspective

[August]

So what's worse?, being trapped in a confined space but sleeping on a warm bunk, wearing clean, dry clothes and eating hot chow?, or sitting in an open foxhole up to your knees in mud, soaked to the bone, wearing the same clothes you've had on for a month while sleet and freezing rain pelts down on your head?

[Kptlt. Neuerburg]

Originally Posted by August

So what's worse?, being trapped in a confined space but sleeping on a warm bunk, wearing clean, dry clothes and eating hot chow?, or sitting in an open foxhole up to your knees in mud, soaked to the bone, wearing the same clothes you've had on for a month while sleet and freezing rain pelts down on your head?

It depends a lot about what sub you're talking about. If you where in a rusty old sewer pipe (AKA the S-Boats) you would be lucky to get any of those things mentioned.

[August]

Originally Posted by Kptlt. Neuerburg

It depends a lot about what sub you're talking about. If you where in a rusty old sewer pipe (AKA the S-Boats) you would be lucky to get any of those things mentioned.

Maybe, but i'd bet it would still be preferable than the vermin, fleas and phosgene of WW1 trench warfare.

The big difference between the Infantryman and the Flier or the Submariner is that for the Grunt the discomfort and danger is 24/7. Death may be close at times for the latter two but once the depth charges stop dropping or the fighters and AA stop firing life isn't all that bad whereas the suck continues for the Infantryman non stop.

[HunterICX]

Originally Posted by August

So what's worse?, being trapped in a confined space but sleeping on a warm bunk, wearing clean, dry clothes and eating hot chow?, or sitting in an open foxhole up to your knees in mud, soaked to the bone, wearing the same clothes you've had on for a month while sleet and freezing rain pelts down on your head?

I've red in one of my WW2 books how jealous the different units where in an army.
The infantry was jealous of their bomber crew flying overhead due their comfortable non-combat situation and flying up there in their eyes they regarded as less dangerous whilst the bomber crew looked at the infantry with envy as when they get shot at could seek cover in their foxholes whilst their bombers had to stick in formation.

Been stuck in a confined space in a combat situation has a great deal of effect on the human mind I'd wager. I for one would rather be stuck in the mud but at least free to make my own choices in a combat situation when it comes to looking for safe spots to seek cover and in turn help others.

[limkol]

Dan D's comments brought me back to the day of the dive in Nautilus. (Hello again Dan!). What I remembered most was the smell of salt water on steel, a sort of rust smell, when we opened the hatch on the surface. You could almost taste it. A memorable experience. And we had only been underwater for a short time, while in peacetime in a friendly port!

Even though I experienced this, I can still not imagine what it would be like to open the hatch of a sub filled with 60 men and the stink, fumes and bad air after surviving a depth charge attack. We are the lucky ones.

Thanks for your post Wizz and sharing your experiences and thoughts