Selected Book
U. S. Navy PB4Y-1 (B-24) Liberator Squadrons in Great Britain during WWII
Carey, Alan C.
Allied Warships
Check out our new extensive section on all the Allied Warships during WWII in all theatres of the war.Over 21,000 ships
| Aal | Nickname for torpedo (eel). |
| Agru-Front | (Ausbildungsgruppe für Front-U-Boote). Active service training unit for U-boat crew |
| AK | Äusserste Kraft (voraus). Command for "full speed". |
| Alarm | Emergency dive order on a U-boat. |
| Alberich | Rubber coating to protect U-boats from ASDIC. First used on U-67 in 1941. |
| Aphrodite | (FuMT 30) Radar decoy device. |
| As | Famous U-boat commander (Ace). |
| Asto | (Admiralstabsoffizier). Staff officer at BdU. From Nov 1941 to May 1945 the 1. Asto/BdU was Fregkpt. Hessler (former Com. U-107). |
| Athos | (FuMB 35) An advanced radar detection device. |
| Atlantiksender | KM nickname for Deutsche Kurzwellensender Atlantik, a bogus Wehrmacht radio station targetted at U-boat crews and used by British Naval Intelligence to disseminate 'black' (active) propaganda from 1943. |
| Ato | Atmosphärisch getriebener Torpedo (also A-Torpedo) A compressed-air-driven torpedo. |
| Aussteigen | Evacuation of the U-boat in an emergency. |
| B-Dienst | (Beobachtungsdienst). Radio transmission monitoring service. |
| Bachstelze | A man-carrying autogyro kite used on Type IXD U-boats to increase visual range. Bachstelze is the German name for a river bird, Motacilla alba alba, "White Wagtail" in English. |
| Backbord | Port |
| Bali I | Schnorkel-mounted FuMB 29 radar detector antenna. |
| Baubelehrung | U-boat construction familiarisation. The crew were posted to a new U-boat during construction for this purpose. |
| BdU | Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote Commander-in-Chief of U-boats, Karl Dönitz from 19 September, 1939. |
| Berlin | (FuMO 84) An advanced radar detection device. |
| Betasom | Italian submarine command based at Bordeaux. |
| Biber | One man midget submarine. (beaver). |
| Biene | Nickname for aircraft (bee). |
| Biskaya-Kreuz | (FuMB 1) Nickname for the first radar detection device (Biscay Cross), see also Metox. |
| Blechkoller | A form of nervous tension that could be caused by depth charge attacks which resulted in violence or hysteria. ("tin fright"). |
| Bold | An Asdic/Sonar deception device consisting of a canister which produced a mass of bubbles of the same size as a U-boat. (from "kobold" a mythical troll that helps seamen), |
| Borkum | (FuMB 10) A radar detection device. (East Frisian island). |
| BRT | Bruttoregistertonne Gross register ton (also as GRT). |
| Bugraum | Compartment in the bows of the U-boat used for ratings accommodation (Bow room). |
| Bundesmarine | The German Navy from 1848 - 1852 and again after 1956. |
| Cypern | (FuMB 9) A radar detection device. See also "Wanze" W-ANZ G 2 (Cyprus). |
| Delphin | Midget submarine (dolphin) |
| Dreisternemeldung | (Verlustmeldung) Casualty report. |
| Druckkörper | Pressure hull. |
| E-Mixer | Nickname for electrical engineering rating. |
| Einbaum | Nickname for the type II U-boat.(dugout canoe) |
| Eisernes Kreuz | Iron Cross. |
| Elektroboot | Type XXI and XXIII U-boat. |
| Enigma | The Wehrmacht cipher machine. |
| ES | Erkennungssignal Recognition signal given by flags, signal lamp or signal pistol (the latter was usual for U-boats). |
| Etmal | The distance a U-boat travelled in 24 hours (from noon to noon). |
| Eto | Elektrischer Torpedo Electrically propelled torpedo. |
| Fächer | The simultaneous launch of two or more torpedoes. (Fan shot) |
| Fähnrich z. See | Officer Cadet |
| Falke | Acoustic homing torpedo T 4. (Falcon). |
| Fangschuß | Final torpedo which sinks the vessel. ("final shot" coup de grâce). |
| FAT | Flächenabsuchender Torpedo A torpedo that was capable of running in pre-programmed patterns and loops. |
| FdU | Führer der Unterseeboote Commander of U-boats. |
| Feger | Nickname for destroyer. (sweeper). |
| Feindfahrt | Active service patrol. (enemy patrol) |
| Flak | (From FLieger-Abwehr-Kanone) Anti-Aircraft gun, anti-aircraft fire. |
| Fliebo | (From Fliegerbombe) Aircraft bomb. |
| Fliege | (FuMB 24) A radar detector. (fly). |
| Flottille | Flotilla. |
| Frontboot | U-boat which had finished all training courses and was part of an active service flotilla. |
| FT | Funktelegramm Radio message. |
| FuMB | FUnk-Mess-Beobachtung Radar detection. |
| FuMO | FUunk-Mess-Ortung Radar. (RadioDetection). |
| Funker | Radio operator. |
| Funkraum | Radio room. |
| Funkspruch | Radio message. |
| G 7a | Geradlaufapparat 7 (meters length) a (atmosphärisch) A compressed air propelled torpedo. |
| G 7e | Geradlaufapparat 7(meters length) e (elektrisch) Electrically propelled torpedo. |
| Geheim | Secret (used for documents etc). |
| GeKDos | (Geheime Kommandosache) Top Secret. |
| Geleitzug | (also Geleit) Convoy. |
| GHG | GruppenHorchGerät Hydrophone underwater sound detector. |
| Goldbutt | (also Goldfisch) Codename for the torpedo G 5ut. Intended for the Walther U-boats. |
| Goliath | Codename for the Kriegsmarine long wave radio station at Kalbe near Magdeburg. Used by BdU to maintain contact with long range U-boats. (17 pylons between 170 and 200m high). This station's signals could be received at a depth of 25m (82ft) |
| Hagenuk | (FuMB 9) A radar dedector (see also Wanze) (Acronym for Hanseatic apparatus company Neufeldt and Kuhnke |
| Hakenkreuz | Swastika. |
| Halsschmerzen | "Knights Cross fever". (sore or "itching" throat). |
| Hartmut | Codename for German U-boat operations during the invasion of Norway. |
| Hecht | Midget submarine (pike). |
| Heizer | Stoker (engine room rating). |
| Hohentwiel | (FuMo 61 and 65). A radar device. |
| Horchraum | Sound detection room. |
| I WO | Erster Wachoffizier First Watch Officer. |
| II LI | Zweiter Ingenieur Second Engineering Officer. |
| II WO | Zweiter Wachoffizier Second Watch Officer. |
| III WO | Dritter Wach-Offizier Third Watch Officer (as a rule the "Obersteuermann"). |
| Kaiserliche Marine | The German Navy between 1871 - 1919. |
| Kaleu | (also Kaleun or Kaleunt). Abbreviation for "Kapitänleutnant" |
| Kaleu | Kapitänleutnant (also Kaleun or Kaleunt). |
| Kaptlt. | Kapitänleutnant (also Kl, KL, Kptlt.) Lieutenant Commander. |
| Kimm | The visual horizon. |
| Klappbuchse | Nickname for signal lamp (Aldis), also "Varta-Lampe". |
| Kolcher | Nickname for small ship. |
| Kolibri | The U-boat crews favourite cologne. |
| Kommandant | Commander. |
| Kommandanten-schiesslehrgang | U-boat commanding officer course, equivalent to RN "Perisher" (Periscope School) or USN PCO (Prospective Commanding Officers) Course. |
| Kommissbrot | Hard black Kriegsmarine issue bread. |
| Konfirmant | Nickname for prospective U-boat commander on instructional patrol. (confirmand). |
| Koralle | The Codename for Admiral Doenitz HQ located near Berlin December 1943 - August 1945. |
| Korvkpt. | Korvettenkapitän Commander (also KK). |
| Kriegsmarine | The German Navy between 1935 - 1945. |
| Kriegstagebuch | (KTB) Log Book (War diary). |
| KTB | Kriegstagebuch Log Book. (war diary). |
| Kurzsignal | A very short radio signal. |
| LI | Leitender Ingenieur Chief Engineering Officer. |
| Ltnt. z. S. | Leutnant zur See Lieutenant (also L, Ltn. or Lt.). |
| Luftwaffe | German Air Force 1935 - 1945. |
| LUT | Lagenunabhängiger Torpedo A torpedo that could be preset to steer itself on a particular bearing. |
| Mücke | (FuMB 25) A radar detector. (Gnat) |
| Mülltonnen | Nickname for (depth charges) often used by seamen. (garbage cans). |
| Mündungsklappen | Torpedo tube bow caps. |
| Maat | Petty officer. |
| Mahalla | Nickname for convoys. |
| Malings | U-boat conning tower emblems. (pictures, as in cartoons or "funny pictures" |
| Marder | One man midget submarine based on torpedo (see Midget U-boats). |
| Matrose | Seaman. |
| Metox | A radar detection device (FuMB 1). (French manufacturer). |
| Milchkuh | A nickname for the type XIV supply U-boat. (milch cow). |
| Mine | A mine. |
| Mixer | Nickname for the torpedo-mechanics. |
| MND | Marine-Nachrichten-Dienst German naval radio intelligence service. |
| Monsunboote | U-boats that operated in the Far East and the Indian Ocean. |
| Naxos | (FuMB 28). An advanced radar detection device. |
| Neger | One man semi-submersible craft based on a torpedo. (See Midget U-boats). |
| Nibelung | An advanced sonar device on Type XXI U-boats (also called S-Anlage). |
| ObdM | Oberbefehlshaber der Marine Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. |
| Oblt. z. S. | Oberleutnant zur See Lieutenant (also OL, Oblnt. z. S.). |
| OKM | Oberkommando der Marine Naval High Command, equivalent of British Admiralty. |
| OKW | Oberkommando der Wehrmacht High Command of the Armed Forces. |
| Papenberg | Depth meter for fine trimming, named after its inventor (a WWI U-boat engineer). |
| Pastorius | Codename for an espionage mission in which U-202 and U-548 put ashore eight agents on the US east coast in June 1942. |
| Paukenschlag | Operation Drumbeat against allied shipping in US and Caribbean waters during the first half of 1942. |
| Peter | Codename for a mine-laying operation by U-589 in the Arctic Sea in August 1942. |
| Pillenwerfer | Ejector system for launching Bold anti-sonar device. (pill thrower). |
| Reichsmarine | The German Navy between 1919 - 1935. |
| Ritterkreuz | Knight's Cross (of the Iron Cross). |
| Rohr | (also Torpedorohr) Torpedo tube. |
| Rosengarten | Nickname for the Allied minefield west of Norway between Iceland and Scotland. (The suggestion being that it's prickly to get through, and the roses can bloom (explode) at any time). |
| Rudel | (Wolf)-pack |
| Samos | (FuMB 4). An early radar detection device. (Greek island) |
| Schlüssel M | German Navy cypher code. |
| Schleichfahrt | Silent running. |
| Schlicktown | Nickname for Wilhelmshaven. (sludge town). |
| Seehund | Midget submarine with two-man crew. |
| Seekuh | Nickname for large Type IX U-boats (Sea Cow). |
| Seerohr | Periscope. (sea pipe) |
| Seetakt | (FuMO 29). An early radar device. |
| SKL | Seekriegsleitung German Supreme Naval Command. |
| Soldatensender Calais | British radio station used for passive (accurate news) propaganda targetted at the U-boat force. |
| Sonderführer | Special officer. Specialists or technical experts given officer status without officer training. Lothar-Günther Buchheim, author of "Das Boot", was made a Sonderführer-Leutnant as a war correspondent. |
| Spargel | Nickname for the periscope (asparagus). |
| Spiegelei | Nickname for the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (fried egg). |
| Steuerbord | Starboard. |
| T 5 | Codename for the acoustic torpedo (homing weapon). |
| Tauchretter | Escape apparatus (life jacket with respirator), equivalent of British DESA or US Momsen Lung. |
| Tauchtanks | U-boat saddle tanks, used when submerging. |
| TEK | Torpedo-Erprobungs-Kommando Torpedo proving section. |
| Tiefenruder | Hydroplanes. |
| Tunis | (FuMB 26). An advanced radar detection device. (North African city) |
| TVA | Torpedo-Versuchs-Anstalt Experimental torpedo section |
| U-Boot Päckchen | Nickname for two-piece leather work clothing . |
| U-Boot-Frontspange | U-boat decoration awarded from 1944. |
| U-Bootkriegsabzeichen | U-boat decoration usually awarded after two patrols. |
| UA | U-boat built for Turkey between 1938-1939 as Batiray, but taken into German service as UA 21 Sept, 1939. |
| UAA | Unterseeboots-Ausbildung-Abteilung Section responsible for training U-boat crew. |
| UAK | Unterseeboots-Abnahme-Kommando Unit which took over and commissioned newly constructed U-boats from the shipyards. |
| UB | The former British submarine HMS Seal. Commissioned into the Kriegsmarine as UB. |
| UC | Former Norwegian submarines. |
| UD | Former Dutch submarines. |
| UF | Former French submarines. |
| UIT | Former Italian submarines. |
| UJ | Unterseeboots-Jäger German submarine chasers, often converted trawlers. |
| ULD | U-Boots-Lehr-Division U-boats training division. |
| UT | Unterwasser-Telefonie Device for communicating with U-boats or surface vessels while submerged.(underwater telephone). |
| UZO | U-Boot-Ziel-Optik U-boat target optic (aiming binoculars). |
| Valentin | U-boat bunker near Bremen, Germany. |
| VO | Verwaltungsoffizier Administrative officer. |
| Vorhalterechner | Electro-mechanical deflection calculator; generated attack coordinates for the torpedoes. |
| Wabos | Abbreviation of Wasserbomben (depth charges). |
| Waffen | Weapons. |
| Wanze | (FuMB 9 - more correctly W-Anz [Wellenanzeiger] A radar detection device. (bedbug). |
| Werft | shipyard. |
| Werftgrandi | Nickname for shipyard-workers. |
| Wintergarten | Nickname for U-boat's anti-aircraft platform. See U-boat Flak. |
| Zaunkönig | Nickname for acoustic torpedo T 5. (Wren). |
| Zentrale | U-boat control room. |
180 entries located
Abbrevations |
Commander nicknames |
Special thanks to Bob Connolly for language editing and additions.