JR, r.w. means relative bearing. I am sorry but I don't know the German (but would like to if anyone knows as this abbreviation is a common entry in KTBs). Gegnerlage (or simply Lage) translates as target angle - the relative bearing of the U-boat from the target - usually given in degrees green (grün - gr.) meaning starboard or red (rot- r.) meaning port or Bug links/rechts (bow left/rig
Forum: General Discussions

Hello all, I ran across a great website on UB88 It has many photos, a good history and a KTB handwritten in old German script. The administrator is looking for help in translating thr KTB. If you are up to the challenge, please give them a shout. Best wishes, Jerry
Forum: WWI forum

Simon, the vents at the top of the tanks let air out when they are opened. These tanks are open to the sea at the bottom. They are emptied by closing the vent valve at the top and admitting compressed air (or engine exhaust air on the surface) forcing the water back out the holes at the bottom of the tank. Please send me an e-mail at the address on file here or through my website www.uboatarch
Forum: Modeling and schematics

Don, I would like to e-mail you concerning diving equipment and procedures. Please send me an e-mail at the address on file here or through my website www.uboatarchive.net Thanks, Jerry
Forum: Modeling and schematics

Ballast, I am the administrator of the U-boat Archive website (www.uboatarchive.net) I am currently working on the British report of the interrogation of Bismark survivors and expect to put this record online about 17 October. Jerry
Forum: General Discussions

Mark, "saws" refers to the noise made by acoustic torpedo countermeasure devices such as the British FOXER which were towed behind antisubmarine vessels to defeat the German T-5 torpedo. Jerry
Forum: General Discussions

Luke and Rainer, I checked and the translation must be bad - it isn't a typo. I helped history along and changed it to 44 since in the sequence of orders it must be that year. Jerry
Forum: General Discussions

Adam, I have one of Just as a POW aboard USS Bogue. Send me a note through my website and I will send it to you. Jerry
Forum: General Discussions

Mike, this topic has been discussed here many times. Black, red, and green are most often mentioned colors but just to stir the pot a bit, the 9th Flotilla emblem was described by POWs from several boats as being blue in color. Jerry www.uboatarchive.net
Forum: General Discussions

Leo, you have mail. Jerry
Forum: General Discussions

On 14 May 1945 a ceremony was held at Londonderry, Northern Ireland at which a number of just surrendered U-boats (6-8) were assembled. ADM Horton, Commander of Western Approaches, was present as was Sir Basil Basil Brooke, Prime Minister of Nothern Island. The DE USS Robert I. Paine represented the US. U-293, U-826 and U-802 were certainly present. U 249 and U-1023 were probably present. I
Forum: General Discussions

Lio, this must be a typo on the part of the BdU staff (as opposed to one of mine or the USN translators in 1945). In many cases the copy is so bad it is difficult to make out the original writing but in this case the German original clearly says U 514. I am tempted to correct mistakes like these in the records but usually opt to leave errors like these as they appear in the original text. Litt
Forum: General Discussions

Mike, your e-mail is not available by clicking you name on the Forum. I would appreciate a copy of the PDF. Thanks, Jerry
Forum: General Discussions