General Discussions
This is the place to discuss general issues related to the U-boat war or the war at sea in WWII.
Re: On board cigarette and alcohol consumption
Posted by:
Ken Dunn
()
Date: August 03, 2021 02:58PM
Hi Kristoff,
Living conditions on a U-boat really, really sucked. The secret to tranquility on a U-boat was getting used to the fact that there was no getting used to it.
Smoking
If you were a smoker a U-boat was no place for you. Smoking wasn’t ever allowed in the boat. Occasionally, a few men at a time might be allowed to go up into the conning tower & smoke but the conning tower hatch had to be open & on rare occasions you might be allowed to go up on the bridge to smoke (not more than two smokers at a time & none at all in areas where they might be attacked) but otherwise you just had to do without.
Even though an old sailor’s rule says, “Better warm stale air than cold fresh air”, submariners on watch below looked forward to the opportunity to smoke or catch a breath of fresh air in the conning tower or on the wintergarden platform. Like just about everything in the Kriegsmarine, however, these stays were strictly regulated.
The following appeared in the service orders under the heading Surface Travel:
“10. No smokers (and those taking a breath of air,) on the bridge without asking, so that the lookouts are not distracted. Smoking signs to be made and worn. (. .. ) [I have seen photos of men smoking on the bridge without the smoking signs but I have also seen photos of them wearing them.]
11. Never more than two additional men in the conning towel; not even in apparently clear conditions. There are no waters in which one cannot be surprised by enemy aircraft. No smokers or air takers on the bridge in areas where air attack is likely [Bay of Biscay, North Sea, etc.]. Absolutely no smoking on the bridge at night. (. .. )”.
In keeping with the above directions, it appears that two signs with different inscriptions were produced on many boats, with the label “Ozon” (ozone) being especially common. The term “ozone” stood for fresh air.
On U-219 the signs were marked with locations where the men were supposed to stay, “Turm” (conning tower) and “Brucke” (bridge).
Alcohol
Alcohol aboard a U-boat was at the commander’s discretion. Frequently a small amount of brandy was allowed for medicinal purposes but it was kept locked up. Some commanders forbid any alcohol on their boats while others allowed a small amount for special celebrations. In one case I know of, something real special happened and each crew member was allowed a half bottle of beer to celebrate so there must have been at least a couple dozen bottles aboard. If someone had a birthday or a child was born while he was at sea, he might get a bottle of beer if he was a drinker.
A commander might have a couple of bottles of cognac [especially if he thought he might earn a Knights Cross on that patrol] and sometimes alcohol was found on abandoned lifeboats or rafts etc. and given to other survivors. Some commanders kept more supplies of spirits aboard but alcohol could only be consumed aboard when the commander specifically permitted it and each man only got the amount specified by the commander.
Otherwise, if you were a drinker, you were out of luck.
Regards,
Ken Dunn
Living conditions on a U-boat really, really sucked. The secret to tranquility on a U-boat was getting used to the fact that there was no getting used to it.
Smoking
If you were a smoker a U-boat was no place for you. Smoking wasn’t ever allowed in the boat. Occasionally, a few men at a time might be allowed to go up into the conning tower & smoke but the conning tower hatch had to be open & on rare occasions you might be allowed to go up on the bridge to smoke (not more than two smokers at a time & none at all in areas where they might be attacked) but otherwise you just had to do without.
Even though an old sailor’s rule says, “Better warm stale air than cold fresh air”, submariners on watch below looked forward to the opportunity to smoke or catch a breath of fresh air in the conning tower or on the wintergarden platform. Like just about everything in the Kriegsmarine, however, these stays were strictly regulated.
The following appeared in the service orders under the heading Surface Travel:
“10. No smokers (and those taking a breath of air,) on the bridge without asking, so that the lookouts are not distracted. Smoking signs to be made and worn. (. .. ) [I have seen photos of men smoking on the bridge without the smoking signs but I have also seen photos of them wearing them.]
11. Never more than two additional men in the conning towel; not even in apparently clear conditions. There are no waters in which one cannot be surprised by enemy aircraft. No smokers or air takers on the bridge in areas where air attack is likely [Bay of Biscay, North Sea, etc.]. Absolutely no smoking on the bridge at night. (. .. )”.
In keeping with the above directions, it appears that two signs with different inscriptions were produced on many boats, with the label “Ozon” (ozone) being especially common. The term “ozone” stood for fresh air.
On U-219 the signs were marked with locations where the men were supposed to stay, “Turm” (conning tower) and “Brucke” (bridge).
Alcohol
Alcohol aboard a U-boat was at the commander’s discretion. Frequently a small amount of brandy was allowed for medicinal purposes but it was kept locked up. Some commanders forbid any alcohol on their boats while others allowed a small amount for special celebrations. In one case I know of, something real special happened and each crew member was allowed a half bottle of beer to celebrate so there must have been at least a couple dozen bottles aboard. If someone had a birthday or a child was born while he was at sea, he might get a bottle of beer if he was a drinker.
A commander might have a couple of bottles of cognac [especially if he thought he might earn a Knights Cross on that patrol] and sometimes alcohol was found on abandoned lifeboats or rafts etc. and given to other survivors. Some commanders kept more supplies of spirits aboard but alcohol could only be consumed aboard when the commander specifically permitted it and each man only got the amount specified by the commander.
Otherwise, if you were a drinker, you were out of luck.
Regards,
Ken Dunn
