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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. |
| 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 | 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. Bachstelze is the German name for a river bird, Motacilla alba alba, "White Wagtail" in English, Sädesärla in Swedish. |
| 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. |
| Kommandanten-schiesslehrgang | U-boat commanding officer course, equivalent to RN "Perisher" (Periscope School) or USN PCO (Prospective Commanding Officers) Course. |
| 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. |
| Rosengarten | Kriegsmarine 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 | 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. |
180 entries located