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Re: How were U-boat Commanders addressed?
Posted by: Dirk ()
Date: July 26, 2007 09:18AM

Yes. This quote hasn't got anything to with what rank the commanding officer of a U-boat held. It's about "Navy German" and "Lubber German" and how proper Navy-Speak is imparted on young recruits. The word "Captain" in German is "Kapitän". Since time immemorial German seafarers have shortened this, when addressing either a ship's captain (ie a master) or a naval officer holding the rank of either Korvettenkapitän, Fregattenkapitän or Kapitän zur See, to Kap'tän. Hence: "Herr Kap'tän".

During the U-boat basic training the "Inspektionschef" (something like a company commander) would usually have been a Korvettenkapitän. "Herr Kap'tän" to the young submariners.

In the German navy (then and now) crewmembers address their superiors by their rank. Hence a U-boat commander would be addressed as "Herr Kaleu" (short for Kapitänleutnant) or "Herr Leutnant/Oberleutnant" (if he's a Leutnant/Oberleutnant zur See).

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Subject Written By Posted
How were U-boat Commanders addressed? Rosalyn Chapman 07/25/2007 12:08AM
Re: How were U-boat Commanders addressed? PatW 07/25/2007 12:35AM
Re: How were U-boat Commanders addressed? Rosalyn Chapman 07/25/2007 12:47AM
Re: How were U-boat Commanders addressed? Dirk 07/26/2007 09:18AM


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