U-boat dive alarm

[Onkel Neal]

We all know what the alarrrrm! crash dive bell sounds like. But under a normal dive, not under combat conditions, was there another dive bell that told the boat to prepare to dive?

[Mittelwaechter]

No - command to dive - no bells. As far as we can milk from this.



~ 5 min +

Probably sound/speech added later - but bell drama would be included I guess.

Edit: note the ammunition handling - through the conning tower wall forward.

[Aktungbby]

Originally Posted by Onkel Neal

We all know what the alarrrrm! crash dive bell sounds like. But under a normal dive, not under combat conditions, was there another dive bell that told the boat to prepare to dive?

http://www.uboatarchive.net/Diving/DivingRegulations.htm NO. PEACETIME, LEAK TEST, ROUTINE OR TRAINING dive:

Readiness to dive

A. Commands

41. The Commander gives the order: Commander: "Prepare to dive", if necessary with restrictions (e.g. "except for diesels") If circumstances require, it is first ordered: "Upper deck prepare to dive" and later "Below deck prepare to dive". 42. This command is only given to the Engineering Officer.

Crash DIVES:

The crash dive is a wartime maneuver and forms the basis of front training of a crew. Therefore, routine preliminary training for crash diving including timing is particularly important. It is to be done as often as possible and gradually to be made more demanding. Only the certainty that every man of the crew handles the measures and controls he is responsible for with absolute certainty allows the Commander to carry out the crash dive in wartime.....

The helmsman sounds the alarm bell and shouts "Alarm". He immediately puts both engine telegraphs on "Dive", switches the receivers to "Both rooms", turns off the alarm bell and, finally, switches the engine telegraph receivers to "E motor". The engine telegraphs remain set on "Dive", until the E motor is set for Ahead GF or another propulsion level is ordered by the Commander.

116. Every man of the crew repeats the order aloud, so that it is guaranteed that even the sleepers are awakened by the order. Particular attention must be paid to the loud exclamation of the order because the noise still prevalent in the boat must be overcome and the order must get into the diesel engine room even in the event of the failure of the alarm bell, flashing light and engine telegraphs.

[Onkel Neal]

Originally Posted by Aktungbby

http://www.uboatarchive.net/Diving/DivingRegulations.htm NO. PEACETIME, LEAK TEST, ROUTINE OR TRAINING dive:

Crash DIVES:

Haha, thanks, yes, I have read that many times now.

[Aktungbby]

I found it very interesting; especially how much authenticity got left out of DAS BOOT on grounding the sub on the bottom(in The Gibraltar Strait) and procedures for lifting off the bottom: sections: 231-239 inclusive; even if it's an emergency, the verbiage should remain the same after repairs. Cinematic poetic license I suppose.

Commander: "Raise boat from the bottom".

"To diving stations".