Selected Book
The last stand of the tin can sailors
The Extraordinary World War II Story of the U.S. Navy's Finest Hour
Hornfischer, James D.
Allied Warships
Check out our new extensive section on all the Allied Warships during WWII in all theatres of the war.Over 21,000 ships
| AK | Äusserste Kraft (voraus). Command for "full speed". |
| Ato | Atmosphärisch getriebener Torpedo (also A-Torpedo) A compressed-air-driven torpedo. |
| BdU | Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote Commander-in-Chief of U-boats, Karl Dönitz from 19 September, 1939. |
| BRT | Bruttoregistertonne Gross register ton (also as GRT). |
| ES | Erkennungssignal Recognition signal given by flags, signal lamp or signal pistol (the latter was usual for U-boats). |
| Eto | Elektrischer Torpedo Electrically propelled torpedo. |
| FAT | Flächenabsuchender Torpedo A torpedo that was capable of running in pre-programmed patterns and loops. |
| FdU | Führer der Unterseeboote Commander of U-boats. |
| FT | Funktelegramm Radio message. |
| FuMB | FUnk-Mess-Beobachtung Radar detection. |
| FuMO | FUunk-Mess-Ortung Radar. (RadioDetection). |
| G 7a | Geradlaufapparat 7 (meters length) a (atmosphärisch) A compressed air propelled torpedo. |
| G 7e | Geradlaufapparat 7(meters length) e (elektrisch) Electrically propelled torpedo. |
| GHG | GruppenHorchGerät Hydrophone underwater sound detector. |
| 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"). |
| Kaleu | Kapitänleutnant (also Kaleun or Kaleunt). |
| Kaptlt. | Kapitänleutnant (also Kl, KL, Kptlt.) Lieutenant Commander. |
| Korvkpt. | Korvettenkapitän Commander (also KK). |
| KTB | Kriegstagebuch Log Book. (war diary). |
| LI | Leitender Ingenieur Chief Engineering Officer. |
| Ltnt. z. S. | Leutnant zur See Lieutenant (also L, Ltn. or Lt.). |
| LUT | Lagenunabhängiger Torpedo A torpedo that could be preset to steer itself on a particular bearing. |
| MND | Marine-Nachrichten-Dienst German naval radio intelligence service. |
| ObdM | Oberbefehlshaber der Marine Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. |
| Oblt. z. S. | Oberleutnant zur See Lieutenant (also OL, Oblnt. z. S.). |
| OKM | Oberkommando der Marine Naval High Command, equivalent of British Admiralty. |
| OKW | Oberkommando der Wehrmacht High Command of the Armed Forces. |
| SKL | Seekriegsleitung German Supreme Naval Command. |
| TEK | Torpedo-Erprobungs-Kommando Torpedo proving section. |
| TVA | Torpedo-Versuchs-Anstalt Experimental torpedo section |
| UAA | Unterseeboots-Ausbildung-Abteilung Section responsible for training U-boat crew. |
| UAK | Unterseeboots-Abnahme-Kommando Unit which took over and commissioned newly constructed U-boats from the shipyards. |
| UJ | Unterseeboots-Jäger German submarine chasers, often converted trawlers. |
| ULD | U-Boots-Lehr-Division U-boats training division. |
| UT | Unterwasser-Telefonie Device for communicating with U-boats or surface vessels while submerged.(underwater telephone). |
| UZO | U-Boot-Ziel-Optik U-boat target optic (aiming binoculars). |
| VO | Verwaltungsoffizier Administrative officer. |
Glossary list |
Commander nicknames |
Special thanks to Bob Connolly for language editing and additions.