General Discussions
This is the place to discuss general issues related to the U-boat war or the war at sea in WWII.
RE: U-boat crews/Sexuality ? - no smut replies
Posted by:
John Griffiths
()
Date: April 15, 2001 06:24PM
<HTML>MPC,
This is quite an area to look for simple answers!
>>How the war influenced sexuality.<<
The \'sexual revolution\' that gathered impetus long before the war sought to displace the notion of oppression and women being part and parcel of each other. This means that the issues of masculinity / feminity are cultural institutions - and are really complex rather than being simple dicotomies.
In terms of the war - on both sides - women\'s roles altered due to the need for women to adopt what were traditional men\'s roles. For example, whilst men were on active service, industry suffered a shortage of skilled men ( certainly as the war effort increased and production trebled ) and women were trained to take there role as mechanics, etc. This meant women were suddenly given position, power - and their own wage but again by neccesity and not by choice.
In terms of influencing sexuality, there are obvious reasons why the war did this. The above is simplistic, but perhaps central to the debate - albeit in a small part.
>>Was sex used as a weapon by men and/or women<<
Always! Always was, still is! The independence of the female allowed her to have choice and this extended to whose company she sought and maintained and whose she did not. In terms of bargaining, she now had the power of her own wage, her position and would certainly use this.
In terms of weaponry, again yes. There was no need to be under a man\'s control - and sex ( which was much sought after by men home on leave ) was a valuable weapon that was used for women to dictate terms!
Sexual morals also underwent a radical change. For example, casual sex was rife - dictated to by the vagaries of the times. The man you met today could be dead by tomorrow! Also, the influx of men into small towns - towns that were garrisoned, for example - allowed for a sexual liberty that was part husband / boyfriend away and part \'stranger\'. There was a danger in a casual relationship that was almost patriotic!
As for men, well...a man in uniform who tells tales of bravado and danger is always attractive! Was sex used as a weapon by men...? I find that one hard to qualify as I prefer to think of it as being a priority rather than a weapon!
>>How it affected the daily life of men at sea, their wives and sweethearts at home.<<
First hand experience here! You go away and you hope / wish that your sweetheart is faithful. However, there was always someone aboard who would start rumours or give you doubts. I have seen men who were hopelessly in love when we left port become sexual predators after five months at sea - simply because someone had sown a seed of doubt in their minds or they missed a letter last port....
It would have a tremendous impact on the life of a warship\'s crew. Without regular mail, with bad news from home in terms of the war....any women looking sideways at you looked attractive after a time aboard ship.
>>The use of prostitutes in foreign/home bases.<<
Since Roman times, prostitutes have always been a part of the military. The term \'camp follower\' comes rom this. Besides, what better favour could a grateful CO give to a crew than a party thrown with women available \'for your pleasure...\' Also, with a crew you would feel duty bound not to let the side down and if everyone was taking part, you must - or run the risk of being accused of being a \'warm brother\'.
>>The legal side - divorce, prosecution for sexual offences.<<
Tricky. Rape was treated severely. However, if you got a local girl pregnant you could approach your CO and request a transfer - that happened. As a man you were considered to be a valuable part of the war machine. As a woman....? You would be lauded as no more than a prostitute or said to have \'easy virtues\'. Memory also lives on. A women who lived in the town I come from is still referred to by my father as having been \'free and easy\' with the US aircrew stationed nearby during the war!
>>and Yes even cases of homosexuality. I know this has been broached before but was their only one case recorded or others ?<<
Undoubtedly, but ashore. It would be unlikely for anything of this nature to happen aboard a warship. The boats were confined, duties strictly regulated and controlled.
This is a bit sketchy but Jak could contact the BBC who ran a programme about a year ago which dealt with the issue of women, sexuality and warfare. If he wishes to pluck something from this, or it gives him a lead, then that\'s great.
Hope it helps!
Aye,
John</HTML>
This is quite an area to look for simple answers!
>>How the war influenced sexuality.<<
The \'sexual revolution\' that gathered impetus long before the war sought to displace the notion of oppression and women being part and parcel of each other. This means that the issues of masculinity / feminity are cultural institutions - and are really complex rather than being simple dicotomies.
In terms of the war - on both sides - women\'s roles altered due to the need for women to adopt what were traditional men\'s roles. For example, whilst men were on active service, industry suffered a shortage of skilled men ( certainly as the war effort increased and production trebled ) and women were trained to take there role as mechanics, etc. This meant women were suddenly given position, power - and their own wage but again by neccesity and not by choice.
In terms of influencing sexuality, there are obvious reasons why the war did this. The above is simplistic, but perhaps central to the debate - albeit in a small part.
>>Was sex used as a weapon by men and/or women<<
Always! Always was, still is! The independence of the female allowed her to have choice and this extended to whose company she sought and maintained and whose she did not. In terms of bargaining, she now had the power of her own wage, her position and would certainly use this.
In terms of weaponry, again yes. There was no need to be under a man\'s control - and sex ( which was much sought after by men home on leave ) was a valuable weapon that was used for women to dictate terms!
Sexual morals also underwent a radical change. For example, casual sex was rife - dictated to by the vagaries of the times. The man you met today could be dead by tomorrow! Also, the influx of men into small towns - towns that were garrisoned, for example - allowed for a sexual liberty that was part husband / boyfriend away and part \'stranger\'. There was a danger in a casual relationship that was almost patriotic!
As for men, well...a man in uniform who tells tales of bravado and danger is always attractive! Was sex used as a weapon by men...? I find that one hard to qualify as I prefer to think of it as being a priority rather than a weapon!
>>How it affected the daily life of men at sea, their wives and sweethearts at home.<<
First hand experience here! You go away and you hope / wish that your sweetheart is faithful. However, there was always someone aboard who would start rumours or give you doubts. I have seen men who were hopelessly in love when we left port become sexual predators after five months at sea - simply because someone had sown a seed of doubt in their minds or they missed a letter last port....
It would have a tremendous impact on the life of a warship\'s crew. Without regular mail, with bad news from home in terms of the war....any women looking sideways at you looked attractive after a time aboard ship.
>>The use of prostitutes in foreign/home bases.<<
Since Roman times, prostitutes have always been a part of the military. The term \'camp follower\' comes rom this. Besides, what better favour could a grateful CO give to a crew than a party thrown with women available \'for your pleasure...\' Also, with a crew you would feel duty bound not to let the side down and if everyone was taking part, you must - or run the risk of being accused of being a \'warm brother\'.
>>The legal side - divorce, prosecution for sexual offences.<<
Tricky. Rape was treated severely. However, if you got a local girl pregnant you could approach your CO and request a transfer - that happened. As a man you were considered to be a valuable part of the war machine. As a woman....? You would be lauded as no more than a prostitute or said to have \'easy virtues\'. Memory also lives on. A women who lived in the town I come from is still referred to by my father as having been \'free and easy\' with the US aircrew stationed nearby during the war!
>>and Yes even cases of homosexuality. I know this has been broached before but was their only one case recorded or others ?<<
Undoubtedly, but ashore. It would be unlikely for anything of this nature to happen aboard a warship. The boats were confined, duties strictly regulated and controlled.
This is a bit sketchy but Jak could contact the BBC who ran a programme about a year ago which dealt with the issue of women, sexuality and warfare. If he wishes to pluck something from this, or it gives him a lead, then that\'s great.
Hope it helps!
Aye,
John</HTML>
