Life on a German U-Boat: Unfathomable Living Conditions and Challenging Patrols

During World War II, the German U-boat (submarine) represented one of the most formidable military vessels in the naval domain. However, life aboard these submarines was utterly grueling, with extremely poor living conditions and constant challenges faced by the crews.

No other vessel of war presented poorer living conditions than that of a U-boat

Each war patrol could take anywhere between three weeks to six months. During this time, U-boat crews were not able to bathe, shave, or change their clothes. A lack of personal hygiene and constant discomfort were the norm, making life aboard a U-boat a harsh experience. The cramped quarters and the absence of basic amenities contributed to an environment where even the smallest task required immense physical and mental fortitude.

Crew Composition and Work Schedule

The crew of a U-boat was made up of specialists and seamen. Specialist crew, such as radiomen, torpedo-men, and machine-men, were responsible for the operation and maintenance of equipment aboard the submarine. Other general duty tasks, like loading torpedoes, standing watch on the bridge, operating deck guns, and housekeeping activities, were performed by the seamen. Their workload was divided into several shifts, with the seamen working in three 8-hour shifts: one for sleeping, one for regular duties, and one for miscellaneous tasks. Specialist crew had four-hour shifts during the day and six-hour shifts at night.

Living Conditions and Habits

U-boat food was a mix of the best and worst the military had to offer. Fresh bread, called Kommissbrot, had to be eaten quickly before it turned white. The crew carried four tons of provisions stuffed into every nook and cranny through the small hatches. A saltwater sponge bath was the closest they got to a proper shower. A cologne called Kolibri was used to control body odor.

Standing on watch duty during stormy weather was frowned upon by the crewmen. The harsh environment of the North Atlantic meant icy waves constantly swept over the conning tower, submerging the boat and the watch crew for brief periods. They were issued with special foul-weather coats, but these did little to keep them dry. In addition, crewmen had little chance to dry their clothes during a patrol. The watch crews were secured by safety lines to keep them from being washed overboard, ensuring minimal activity could take place in inclement weather.

U-boats were poorly equipped for crew habitability. Fresh water was limited and strictly rationed, especially when filled with diesel fuel to extend operational range. Washing and showering were not permitted. The entire crew was assigned to one locker for personal belongings. To maximize limited space, the forward torpedo room also served as the crew quarters. Space was at a premium, and six bunks had to be folded up to accommodate additional torpedoes. Crews often resorted to hot-bunking, where one person would immediately vacate a bunk as soon as another crew member needed to rest.

Food and Supplies

U-boat food was another interesting topic. At the beginning of a journey, as much food as possible was stuffed into every available nook and cranny. This led to one of the toilets being filled to capacity with food. Fresh meats, sausages, bread, fruits, and vegetables were brought aboard, but the small refrigerators meant that food spoiled quickly. Fresh bread would soon sprout white fungi, prompting the crews to nickname it “Rabbits” due to the fuzzy appearance.

The crew had to rely on canned goods and a soy-based filler called Bratlingspulver, which the military issued but the crew disdainfully referred to as “diesel food.” This constant exposure to diesel exhaust made the food even more unpalatable. Even going to the toilet was challenging due to the single toilet and the time it took to eat through the food stored in it. The flush system consisted of a hand pump, and using the toilet was prohibited during enemy hunting operations to avoid alerting the enemy to the presence of the submarine.

Psychological Impact and Entertainment

Long war cruises took a significant psychological toll on the crews. There were no trees, hills, or landfall except for the occasional marine life for company. Months would pass with a monotonous landscape of the deck. To pass time, crews listened to a record-player built into the boat or played cards and games. Some commanders organized singing and lying competitions to keep their men’s minds away from home.

Commanders organized games and competitions to maintain morale and divert the crew’s thoughts from the long and isolated patrol. The forward torpedo room, serving as the quarters, had limited space for six bunks, which had to be folded up for two additional torpedoes. Not until the first two torpedoes had been launched could the crew loading spare torpedoes into the torpedo tubes, thereby freeing up needed bunks in the living quarters.

By the end of a war patrol, the crew would emerge with long beards, soiled uniforms, and other obnoxious physical characteristics. However, it was this very appearance that earned them the respect of Donitz, as he knew what life aboard a U-boat entailed.

Food was stored by the Obersteuermann (Navigator) and Quartermaster. Non-perishables were kept in the small larder and after head. Hams, sausages, and other preserved meats were stored between the forward torpedo tubes and overhead in the control room. Bread was stored in the forward torpedo room and electric motor room. Fresh meat and produce were stored in the small refrigerator and pantry, which were the coolest places on board but only lasted a short number of days.

Three rules governed the storage of food:

1.

It had to be secured to avoid coming loose during an enemy attack. It had to be distributed evenly to minimize disturbance of the boat's trim. It had to leave free access to all hatches and valves.

Consumption and Adjustments

Consumption was weighed daily, and the trim would be adjusted to compensate for usage. Crews often traded with fishermen for fresh fish or boarded victims to steal any food they could carry. The constant challenge of providing sustenance while facing the gruelling conditions of the patrol showcased the immense resourcefulness and perseverance of U-boat crews.

The living conditions and survival on a German U-boat during World War II remain a testament to the determination and resilience of the sailors who manned these vessels.