Book of the Week
Allied Warships
Check out our new extensive section on all the Allied Warships during WWII in all theatres of the war.Over 11.300 ships
Special Sections
U-boat Glossary
| Aal | Nickname for torpedo (eel). |
| Agru-Front | (Ausbildungsgruppe für Front-U-Boote). Training unit for frontier U-boats |
| AK | Äusserste Kraft (voraus). Command for "full speed". |
| Alarm | Emergency dive order on a U-boat. |
| Alberich | Special rubber foil to protect the U-boats from ASDIC. First attempted on U-67 in 1941. |
| Aphrodite | (FuMT 30) Radar faking device. |
| As | A famous U-boat commander (Ace). |
| Asto | (Admiralstabsoffizier). Staff officer for the 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. |
| Ato | Atmosphärisch getriebener Torpedo (also A-Torpedo) A compressed-air-driven torpedo. |
| Aussteigen | Leaving the U-boat in emergency situations. |
| B-Dienst | (Beobachtungsdienst). The German wireless observation service. |
| Bachstelze | A motorless helicopter device for type IXD U-boats. (Watertilt) |
| Backbord | Portside |
| Bali I | FuMB 29 antenna. |
| Baubelehrung | The time before commissioning, when the future crew make themself familiar with their new U-boat. |
| BdU | Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote Commander-in-Chief for submarines, Karl Dönitz from 19 September, 1939. |
| Berlin | Name for an advanced radar detection device (FuMO 84). |
| Betasom | Italian submarine command in Bordeaux. |
| Biber | Mini U-boat-type. One man crew (Beaver). |
| Biene | Nickname for aircraft (bee). |
| Biskaya-Kreuz | Nickname for the first radar detection device (FuMB 1). (Biscay Cross), see also Metox. |
| Blechkoller | A form of nervous tension ("tin fright") that could be caused by depth charge attacks and resulted in violence or hysteria. |
| Bold | A tool for deception of the enemy Asdic. |
| Borkum | Name for a radar detection device (FuMB 10). |
| BRT | Bruttoregistertonne Gross register ton (also as GRT). |
| Bugraum | (Bow room) The room in front of the U-boat. Home of the crew. |
| Bundesmarine | The German Navy from 1848 - 1852 and again after 1956. |
| Cypern | Name for a radar detection device (FuMB 9). (also W-ANZ G 2; see also "Wanze"). |
| Delphin | Midget U-boat |
| Dreisternemeldung | (Verlustmeldung) Casualty report. |
| Druckkörper | The pressure hull. |
| E-Mixer | Nickname for the electro-mechanics. |
| Einbaum | Nickname for the U-boat type II.(Long-canoe) |
| Eisernes Kreuz | Iron Cross. |
| Elektroboot | The U-boat types XXI and XXIII. |
| Enigma | The German Navy cipher machine. |
| ES | Erkennungssignal Recognition signal given by flags, Morse signal or by signal pistol (the last was usual by U-boats). |
| Etmal | The distance the U-boat travelled in 24 hours (from high noon to high noon). |
| Eto | Elektrischer Torpedo Electric-driven torpedo. |
| Fächer | The simultaneous fire of two or more torpedoes. (Fan shot) |
| Fähnrich z. See | Officer cadet |
| Falke | Name for acoustic torpedo T 4. (Falcon). |
| Fangschuß | Finishing shot (coup de grâce). |
| FAT | Flächenabsuchender Torpedo A torpedo that was capable of running in pre-programmed patterns and loops. |
| FdU | Führer der Unterseeboote Chief/Leader/Head/Commander of U-boats. |
| Feger | Nickname for destroyer. (sweeper). |
| Feindfahrt | War cruise/patrol against the enemy. |
| Flak | (From FLieger-Abwehr-Kanone) Anti-Aircraft gun. |
| Fliebo | (From Fliegerbombe) Air bomb. |
| Fliege | (FuMB 24) A radar detector. (Fly) |
| Flottille | Flotilla. |
| Frontboot | U-boat which finished all training courses and was detached to a front flotilla. |
| FT | Funktelegramm Wireless message. |
| FuMB | FUnk-Mess-Beobachtung Radar detection. |
| FuMO | FUunk-Mess-Ortung Radio detecting or Radar. |
| Funker | Radioman (wireless operator). |
| Funkraum | Radio room. |
| Funkspruch | Wireless message. |
| G 7a | Geradlaufapparat 7 (meters length) a (atmosphärisch) A compressed-air-driven torpedo. |
| G 7e | Geradlaufapparat 7(meters length) e (elektrisch) Electric-driven torpedo. |
| Geheim | Secret (i.e. secret documents and so on). |
| GeKDos | (Geheime Kommandosache) Top secret level. |
| Geleitzug | (also Geleit) The convoy. |
| GHG | GruppenHorchGerät The underwater sound detector. |
| Goldbutt | Codename for the torpedo G 5ut. Planned for the small Walther U-boats. |
| Goliath | Codename for the Kriegsmarine long wave radio station in Kalbe near Magdeburg. With this transmitter BdU could maintain contact with long range U-boats. (17 pylons between 170 and 200 meters high). This station's radio transmissions could be received as much as 25 meters underwater! |
| Hagenuk | (FuMB 9) A radar dedector (see also Wanze) |
| Hakenkreuz | The Swastika. |
| Halsschmerzen | ("Having a sore throat") - The commander is itching for the Knights Cross. |
| Hartmut | Codename for German U-boat operations during the occupation of Norway. |
| Hecht | Midget U-boat (Pike). |
| Heizer | Stoker crew. |
| Hohentwiel | A radar device (FuMo 61 and 65). |
| 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 the (morse-) signal light, also "Varta-Lampe". |
| Kolcher | Nickname for small ship. |
| Kolibri | The perfume for U-boat crews. |
| Kommandant | Commander. |
| Kommissbrot | Hard and black bread of the Kriegsmarine. |
| Konfirmant | Nickname for future commanders, who one training patrol on a U-boat. (Confirmand). |
| Koralle | The Codename for the Headquarters of Admiral Doenitz located near Berlin from 12.43 - 02.45. |
| Korvkpt. | Korvettenkapitän Commander (also KK). |
| Kriegsmarine | The German Navy between 1935 - 1945. |
| Kriegstagebuch | (KTB) War Log Book (War diary). |
| KTB | Kriegstagebuch War 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 was possible to shoot every position and bearing. |
| Mücke | (FuMB 25) A radar detector. (Gnat) |
| Mülltonnen | An unfriendly word for wabos (depth charges) often used by seamen. (Garbage cans). |
| Mündungsklappen | The bow caps of torpedo tubes. |
| Maat | Petty officer. |
| Mahalla | Nickname for convoys. |
| Malings | (Comic-) Pictures on the U-boat conning tower. |
| Marder | One man torpedo (see Midget U-boats). |
| Matrose | Seaman. |
| Metox | A radar detection device (FuMB 1). (Name of the French producer). |
| Milchkuh | A nickname for the type XIV supply U-boat. (Milk Cow). |
| Mine | A mine. |
| Mixer | A 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 | An advanced radar detection device (FuMB 28). |
| Neger | One man torpedo. (See Midget U-boats). |
| Nibelung | An advanced sonar device on U-boat type XXI (also called S-Anlage). |
| ObdM | Oberbefehlshaber der Marine Commander-in-Chief of Navy. |
| Oblt. z. S. | Oberleutnant zur See Lieutenant-Senior (also OL, Oblnt. z. S.). |
| OKM | Oberkommando der Marine Equal to Britain's Admiralty. |
| OKW | Oberkommando der Wehrmacht High Command of the Armed Forces. |
| Papenberg | A depth meter for small ranges, named after its inventor (a WWI U-boat engineer). |
| Pastorius | Codename for a spy operation when U-202 and U-548 set 8 agents ashore in the USA in June 1942. |
| Paukenschlag | Operation Drumroll / Drumbeat against allied shipping in US and Caribbean waters the first half of 1942. |
| Peter | Codename for a mining operation of U-589 in the Arctic Sea in August 1942. |
| Pillenwerfer | Pillenwerfer was a small device the German Navy created to help subs confuse the enemy sonar. It is released from the U-boat and the salt water starts a chemical reaction that produces millions of noisy bubbles. This "clouds" the sonar. It worked to some extent, but the slow U-boats usually couldn't get very far away to be happy about it. |
| Reichsmarine | The German Navy between 1919 - 1935. |
| Ritterkreuz | Knight's Cross (of the Iron Cross). |
| Rohr | (also Torpedorohr) Torpedo tube. |
| Rudel | (Wolf)-pack |
| Samos | An early radar detection device (FuMB 4). |
| Schlüssel M | The German Navy code. |
| Schleichfahrt | Silent running. |
| Schlicktown | Nickname for Wilhelmshaven. (Sludge town). |
| Seehund | Midget U-boat for two-man crew. |
| Seekuh | Nickname for large U-boats of type IX (Sea Cow). |
| Seerohr | The periscope. |
| Seetakt | An early radar device (FuMO 29). |
| SKL | Seekriegsleitung German Supreme Naval Command. |
| Soldatensender Calais | British broadcast for psychologic warfare against the U-boat force. |
| Sonderführer | Special Commander. Lothar-Günther Buchheim, the author of "Das Boot", was such a Sonderführer-Leutnant, which means that he was a war correspondent and not a naval officer. |
| 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 | Life-jacket with respirator. |
| Tauchtanks | The tanks into which the water rushes when the U-boat submerges. |
| TEK | Torpedo-Erprobungs-Kommando An institution for testing the new developed torpedoes. |
| Tiefenruder | The depth rudder. |
| Tunis | An advanced radar detection device (FuMB 26). |
| TVA | Torpedo-Versuchs-Anstalt An Institution for torpedo experiments |
| U-Boot Päckchen | Nickname for the (leather-) working clothes for the crew. |
| U-Boot-Frontspange | An U-boat decoration awarded from 1944. |
| U-Bootkriegsabzeichen | An U-boat decoration usually given after 2 patrols. |
| UA | A U-boat that was built for Turkey in 1938-1939 as Batiray, in German duty as UA 21 Sept, 1939. |
| UAA | Unterseeboots-Ausbildung-Abteilung A department for training men to become U-boat men. |
| UAK | Unterseeboots-Abnahme-Kommando This unit took over the recently constructed and commissioned U-boats at 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 old trawlers. |
| ULD | U-Boots-Lehr-Division U-boats training division. |
| UT | Unterwasser-Telefonie Underwater telephone. |
| UZO | U-Boot-Ziel-Optik The U-boat target optic (aiming binoculars). |
| Valentin | Name of a U-boat bunker near Bremen, Germany. |
| VO | Verwaltungsoffizier Administrative officer. |
| Vorhalterechner | Electro-mechanical deflection calculator; produced the attack coordinates for the torpedoes. |
| Wabos | Nickname for Wasserbomben (Depth charges). |
| Waffen | Weapons. |
| Wanze | (FuMB 9 - correct W-Anz [Wellenanzeiger] A radar detector. (Bedbug). |
| Werft | A 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 | The U-boat control room. |
177 entries located