Retranslated Wartime U-boat Commander’s Handbook

[derstosstrupp]

As some of you may know, the English translation (done during the war) of the 1942/43 U-boat Commander’s Handbook left much to be desired. The translator got a lot right, but the translation was done more or less literally, often using German syntax which made it read awkwardly in English and in many cases there were assumptions made that were wrong, stemming from the translator’s lack of procedural and technical knowledge of U-boats.

So, I have retranslated the document in clearer language and correcting the many inaccuracies, also commenting here and there for sake of clarity as well as to provide historical context. Only paragraphs 3 through 245 are my retranslation, as these were the only I could find in the original German. For the rest, I simply cleaned up the language and modified it to better communicate the intent of the paragraphs.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u_W...w?usp=drivesdk

Enjoy!

[Captain_AJ]

Downloading now !! Thanks !! M

[Elphaba]

This a huge benefit to all players of Uboat sims and the entire subsume community.

Thanks so much for your hard work.

[derstosstrupp]

Originally Posted by Elphaba

This a huge benefit to all players of Uboat sims and the entire subsume community.

Thanks so much for your hard work.

Thanks for pointing that site out to me! That alone had most of the German, with the remaining (up to par 245 anyway) to be found at tvre.org.

[Pisces]

This document is not to be used in the operation of real U-boats, nor is the
information contained herein intended to be used in the sinking of any
watercraft at any lake, ocean, bay, inlet, pond, puddle, or any other body of
water that may be accessible to the reader.

LOL, nice disclaimer!

[derstosstrupp]

Originally Posted by Pisces

LOL, nice disclaimer!

That feel when you can’t go to the lake/beach without mentally gathering target data on ships and boats passing by.........

[Aktungbby]

have read same in it's intirety! Should improve my commander's initiative and success in the 'annihilating attack'. It certainly gives credence to my preferred taktik of entering the convoy, (Kretschmer-style)striking by aiming the boat at targets (minimal 'slow- analog'TDC use here) just beyond the eel's arming distance(300m-swift steam eel's preferred night or day) then falling off the departing formation to deckgun the cripples. Further pursuit of the now aware convoy to be reconsidered by varied aspects: nighttime escort and speed of convoy etc. In SHV particular attn to the torpedoman's skill-set for reliable eel performance and swift reloads made this a good method. I shall remember to place the scuttle charges next to the diesel cool-water intakes if the worst occurs! (U-505's big mistake!!??)Many thanks for posting PS: I mentally gather data on all the refinery tankers at anchor in San Fransisco Bay...and the occasional Victory ship only 500m off my bow at Mare Island...