Das Boot

Ducimus · 06-06-06, 07:11 PM

Still citing from my current favorite book, Hans grueber recalls one incident where they had to crash dive from a plane. One of the relief valves got stuck and they boat would not fully submerge. In essence the stern of the boat was broaching the surface, and they moved all hands aft to balance the boat and get it under. Luckly, Hans recalls, the plane did not spot them. Had it, he says, they would have been sunk. He furthe recalls the grim humor that followed and U505 got several ostrich remarks from the crew.

Give me time and ill find, and quote the exact passage if you want me to.

Ducimus · 06-06-06, 08:28 PM

:hmm:

Here we go, leaves room for doubt unforutnatly.

"A sunderland was flying a course directly toward us. Lowe ordered us to dive, but the relief valve for one of the diving tanks refused to open. The stuck valve not only prohibited us from submerging, but also caused a dramatic imbalance of weight within the sub. Within seconds, u-505 was stranded on the surface with its bow buried deep underwater and it's stern sticking high up into the air at a 40-degree angle! We were absolutely helpless to escape the approaching Sunderland.

Lighting fast reactions by our CE Fritz Forester managed to temporarily free the valve. Meanwhile, the skippered ordered all crewmen to run to the stern end of the boat to help even the imbalance of weight. We all held our breath as the stern slowly began to descend back into the water, wondering when the sunderland would attack. Luckily it did not attack before we had a chance to escape.

We resurfaced at 1430 hours. All sorts of gallows humor enlivened our work as we repaired the relief valve. The best joke was that the English pilot failed to attack because he thought U-505 was an ostrich, with its head buried in the water and its tail sticking into the air. The grim humor masked the fact that we came very close to being killed, either by the sunderland or by an uncontrolled plunge to the bottom of the ocean."

Rose · 06-06-06, 08:55 PM

That book sounds wonderful, just by reading that passage. Which book is it? I actually went to the ol' U-505 when I was about 5, when I lived in Chicago (of course, I didn't even know what a U-Boat WAS at that time but, I still can remember how CRAMPED the thing was.). It was a great experience

.

06-07-06, 10:03 AM

Ok, I apologise if I came across as a troll. Wasn't my intention...I'll have to give the movie another shot...as I knew I was gonna fall asleep last night so didn't bother. Might be back playing SH3 again soon anyway...

Mr.Werner · 06-07-06, 11:36 AM

Go back to the DW forum. You sound like youre about 16 yrs old (not a good thing).
Das Boot is known to be the best submarine movie out there, get a clue.

<Edit: No name-calling! Part of post removed - Gizzmoe>

Firebird · 06-07-06, 11:42 AM

I doubt 'flaming' is held in high regard on this board, Mr. Werner. Also, to participate in a discussion you need to respect someone else's opinion, not pretend that yours is somehow better.

Mr.Werner · 06-07-06, 11:51 AM

If you attack das boot, its like you attack my whole family!!!

06-07-06, 11:36 AM	#5
Mr.Werner Watch Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Germany Posts: 29 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Go back to the DW forum. You sound like youre about 16 yrs old (not a good thing). Das Boot is known to be the best submarine movie out there, get a clue. <Edit: No name-calling! Part of post removed - Gizzmoe> Last edited by Gizzmoe; 06-07-06 at 11:40 AM.

06-06-06, 07:11 PM	#1
Ducimus Rear Admiral Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,987 Downloads: 67 Uploads: 2	Still citing from my current favorite book, Hans grueber recalls one incident where they had to crash dive from a plane. One of the relief valves got stuck and they boat would not fully submerge. In essence the stern of the boat was broaching the surface, and they moved all hands aft to balance the boat and get it under. Luckly, Hans recalls, the plane did not spot them. Had it, he says, they would have been sunk. He furthe recalls the grim humor that followed and U505 got several ostrich remarks from the crew. Give me time and ill find, and quote the exact passage if you want me to.

06-06-06, 08:28 PM	#2
Ducimus Rear Admiral Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,987 Downloads: 67 Uploads: 2	:hmm: Here we go, leaves room for doubt unforutnatly. "A sunderland was flying a course directly toward us. Lowe ordered us to dive, but the relief valve for one of the diving tanks refused to open. The stuck valve not only prohibited us from submerging, but also caused a dramatic imbalance of weight within the sub. Within seconds, u-505 was stranded on the surface with its bow buried deep underwater and it's stern sticking high up into the air at a 40-degree angle! We were absolutely helpless to escape the approaching Sunderland. Lighting fast reactions by our CE Fritz Forester managed to temporarily free the valve. Meanwhile, the skippered ordered all crewmen to run to the stern end of the boat to help even the imbalance of weight. We all held our breath as the stern slowly began to descend back into the water, wondering when the sunderland would attack. Luckily it did not attack before we had a chance to escape. We resurfaced at 1430 hours. All sorts of gallows humor enlivened our work as we repaired the relief valve. The best joke was that the English pilot failed to attack because he thought U-505 was an ostrich, with its head buried in the water and its tail sticking into the air. The grim humor masked the fact that we came very close to being killed, either by the sunderland or by an uncontrolled plunge to the bottom of the ocean."

06-06-06, 08:55 PM	#3
Rose Grey Wolf Join Date: May 2006 Location: New York City Posts: 966 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	That book sounds wonderful, just by reading that passage. Which book is it? I actually went to the ol' U-505 when I was about 5, when I lived in Chicago (of course, I didn't even know what a U-Boat WAS at that time but, I still can remember how CRAMPED the thing was.). It was a great experience .

06-07-06, 10:03 AM	#4
Kurushio Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	Ok, I apologise if I came across as a troll. Wasn't my intention...I'll have to give the movie another shot...as I knew I was gonna fall asleep last night so didn't bother. Might be back playing SH3 again soon anyway...

06-07-06, 11:42 AM	#6
Firebird Torpedoman Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 111 Downloads: 45 Uploads: 0	I doubt 'flaming' is held in high regard on this board, Mr. Werner. Also, to participate in a discussion you need to respect someone else's opinion, not pretend that yours is somehow better.

06-07-06, 11:51 AM	#7
Mr.Werner Watch Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Germany Posts: 29 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	If you attack das boot, its like you attack my whole family!!!