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Acknowledgement

Translation of this training document from U-505 is courtesy of Stephen Paul Revai, a graduate from Language Specialists International, Berlin.

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  • Boats-Ships--Submarine
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Wars & Conflicts
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German Submarine Crew Training During Construction, Outfitting, and Commissioning of U-boats

Document Captured on U-505

[no date] COVER

DWF 505 Entered in
In the [?] Register of Publications
Under serial number 200
Construction Training U-Boats
Germania Yard, Hamburg
[no date]


[formerly] Secret [subsequently declassified]

Guide for U-Boat Officers Concerning New U-Boat Orders for the Frontline.

Contents:

A. U-boats, New Construction Orders, Equipping, Commissioning.
B. UAC [U-boat Acceptance Commission] - Test Run.
C. U-Training Flotilla.
D. Tactical Front Training Flotilla.
E. Communications Intelligence Groups.

Guide for U-Boat Officers Concerning New U-Boat Orders for the Frontline - title page

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A. U-boat New Orders, Equipping, Commissioning.

        I. Command of the crew.
        II. Training goals up to commissioning.
        III. Yard Test Runs.
        IV. Equipping newly constructed U-Boats.
        V. Commissioning

Guide for U-Boat Officers Concerning New U-Boat Orders for the Frontline - page 1

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A. U-boat new orders, equipping, commissioning.

During training for the U-Boats under construction, the equipping, and all preparations up to the commissioning of the boats will continue up to the bill of exchange to the C-in-C U-Boats [Commander-in-Chief U-Boats] Baltic Sea and North Sea. Until this time, command of the crew is under the leader of the construction training.

I. Command of the Crew.

1) Officers command stations O and N urgently request C-in-C U-Boats – Org.-:

            12 weeks before commissioning: Chief Engineering Officer
            4 weeks before commissioning: Command Watch Officer

2) Petty Officers and crew command personnel bureau for U-Boats at the request of the Construction Training:

            12 weeks before commissioning: Chief Petty Officer Specialist II
            8 weeks before commissioning: Petty Officers Specialists II and VII T
            6 weeks before commissioning: Crew Specialists II and VII T
            4 weeks before commissioning: Remainder of the crew
            Every crewmember is included in a frontline U-Boat war cruise.

3) Every construction training U-Boat is a company unit. The company chief is the Director of Construction Training. A recording officer is always in attendance for all construction training with the commanding officer.

4) For the Construction Training commanding officers discipline comes immediately under the Superior Force Command for the training company. Dispatches by the Yard Head concerning the arrival and departure visits for replacement (commander and chief engineering officers).

Guide for U-Boat Officers Concerning New U-Boat Orders for the Frontline - page 2

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5) All military affairs, as well as billeting and rationing for the construction training command petty officers and crew up to the commissioning of the boats, will be the responsibility of the construction training company, on behalf of the high command. The business rooms and the teaching areas for the construction training will both be found in a special building for the construction training on the grounds of the Building Yard.

6) Taking command of the crew of the front flotilla follows the occasion of the construction training company commissioning day, by the personnel bureau of U-boats. 

7) Commissioning announcements by OKM [Navy High Command], Fleet, Station Command, C-in-C U-boats and the rest of the marine services go through the construction training group U-Boats Baltic Sea and North Sea. This announcement comes at the same time as Command Completion Training for officers who will step up to the front flotilla, with Commissioning Day.

Guide for U-Boat Officers Concerning New U-Boat Orders for the Frontline - page 3

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II. Educational Goals of Construction Training.

1) The training of every U-Boat crew follows on to assignment allotment for the Construction Training Group U-Boats Baltic Sea and North Sea (see “ Standing Order” of the Construction Training Group.).

2) The Training Plan is set to a daily schedule, with theoretical lessons through to practical lessons on board, to handling exercises in all aspects of shipbuilding, machine works, and electrical matters for each successive boat type. On hand are the different building systems offered for each series of boats known to all individuals involved in construction of the boats and the exhaustive study of their installation. The daily practical construction training is carried out during the Yard Work Pause, in addition through longer service after Yard Work closing in the last 3 weeks before commissioning. During the work time period the stepping up of new boat building will progress only with the addition of new officers and non commissioned officers. On board training throughout the work period is at the highest strength from 1 U.O. 4 man (Turn to Groups) only upon an agreement with the Yard to proceed. During construction limited space within the boat must be taken into consideration.

Goals of the training are:
      a) Precise knowledge of the boats through complete on board training.
      b) Special knowledge of all fittings for the dive - and watch stations through rotating forward personnel.
      c) Undertaking the supervision of diving preparations.
      d) Knowledge of alarm procedures, conduct of the crew during underwater cruise.
      e) Knowledge and preparedness for dealing with obstructions through lectures by U-Boat combat veterans.
      f) Drilling on external communications for replacing of machine components, for the steering - and hydroplanes, startup and close down of systems components (Main- and auxiliary machinery. G.H.G. [Group Listening Apparatus], U.T. [Underwater Telegraphy], S. [Special System USW]).

u505con5

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g) Secure locating of the fixed built in and maneuverable escape - and safety features in the event of losing lights.
h) Knowledge of the general military situation and daily political events.

For military service and armed services it is necessary to experience “real” situations. Where possible, passing the entire crew through the “dive pot” [Live Training Exercises] must be executed.

3) Responsibility for the execution of training plans is the leaders’ of the construction training, shortly before commissioning, the training course for the crew will be taken through a practical instruction cruise by the lead instructor.

4) Instruction leader for the entire crew is continuous through the years. The crew participates in the following lessons:
a) Central Group
b) Diesel Engine Group
c) E motor Group
d) Torpedo Group
e) See mine group
f) Radio Group

As group leaders, the commanding petty officers have responsibility for dividing instructions between lead instructors. For execution of the on board practical instruction training, there are additional standing training personnel including a chief petty officer and 2nd petty officer Lfb.II [Laufbahn II – Career Path Two] in each construction training company in accordance with command.

5) The instruction material is the functional model for construction training groups for U-Boats active in the Baltic Sea and North Sea and in every construction course available teaching aide and written material.
It includes:

Secret Register.
a) U-Boat intelligence
b) Machinery and electronic intelligence

Guide for U-Boat Officers Concerning New U-Boat Orders for the Frontline - page 5

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c) Weapons descriptions (requisition for construction training with registration for each U-Boat). N.F.D. - Instruction material:
a) Descriptions and written operations.
b) Schematic plans [D.E.] Diesel engine and E motor (large instruction Plans). Schematic tables D.E. and E motor (middle format schematic books D.E. and E motor pocket format on board ship.)
c) Delivery instructions (partially and complete illustration material).
d) Necessary tools, equipment.

Official:

Public and secret “construction training file command.”
Public and secret “construction training file chief engineering officer.”
Secret file “war cruise, code [section] machine.”

6) The captain has oversight to assure that the chief engineering officer and first watch officer carry out their responsibilities for the training of all crew members. Roll plans are separate and different for each boat type.

7) Special practice command management:
a) Construction training company for commander and watch officer and seamen personnel with T.S. for the instructions about the torpedo firing system, in case of requirements by UAS [Anti-Submarine School] fall within the instructions for the S. - system.
b) Construction training group U-Boats Baltic and North seas for the chief engineering officer and petty officers Lfb. II for the head of the training company responsible for machinery and electrical systems, for the UAK [U-Boat Acceptance Commission] and extension flotillas for the onboard training on boats which are already placed in service.

Guide for U-Boat Officers Concerning New U-Boat Orders for the Frontline - page 6

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III. Yard Test Run

1) Test run program is set for every boat from the building yard during construction training. During construction and with the test runs, corrections may be made to particular fixtures that are superior to the firm’s original installations at the yard according to the construction training chief.

2) The launching for each boat type occurs approximately 6 to 8 weeks before commissioning with main machinery installation completed by the time of the construction training company dock visit.

3) Yard trim examination occurs approximately 3 weeks before commissioning. This takes place outside the building yard under supervision of the U-Boat Acceptance Commission Chief of Construction Training, Commander, Chief Engineering Officer and Central Machinist.

4) Yard test run occurs 2 to 4 weeks before commissioning, taking place outside the construction yard under the supervision of: Chief of Construction Training, Commander, Lead Engineer, First Watch Officer, Section Petty Officer, Bridge watch. Radio Watch and M. G/ C 30-[machine gun?] instruction under the supervision of the Chief of the Construction training for possible security trial runs. Navy Yard representatives request firing of M. G/C 30. Flotilla and blockade management for test running, as well as passage through dangerous waters is charged to the construction training group for U-Boats Baltic and North Seas for every newly constructed boat, the deployment license is confirmed following this. The deployment certification is in every case, with the exception of the Eastern Baltic sea, delayed. Responsibility for navigation is the Yard captains, departmental operation
the commandants.

5) The full power acceptance trial run, from the beginning through to the final run before close out of commissioning, through construction inspection by the U-Boat Acceptance Commission and construction training by the High Command occurs, 1 to 2 weeks before the commissioning instead of participation and security test runs as stated in
sequence Nr.4.

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All defects found are still rectified by the test running of the full power acceptance trial run, through the U-Boat Acceptance Commission or the Yard, and yard repairs are included as part of the combined repair list. The construction yard is obligated to handle the adjustments before commissioning. The intended commissioning terms should hereby be influenced only in exceptional cases. According to satisfactory handling of the repairs, acceptance of the adjustment list is provisional with the acceptance by the U-Boat Acceptance Commission, with reservations for the acceptance by the High Command’s decision.

6) The last interior painting of the boats occurs generally right before the high speed acceptance trial. During this time no one may enter.

Guide for U-Boat Officers Concerning New U-Boat Orders for the Frontline - page 8

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IV. Outfitting the newly constructed – U-Boats

1) Every newly constructed U-Boat is maintained by "steady order" from the construction training group U-Boats Baltic Sea and North Sea in each construction training until ordered deployed. The Head Flotilla should from hereon be relieved. Equal time must be allowed for the yard test runs so that it is cleared for the U-Boat Acceptance Commission before commissioning. Transitioning to the U-Boat Acceptance Group, and transferring over to other locations must involve crossing seas, which lay within the exact radius of action for air and sea forces, therefore diving maneuvers may be carried out. The boats have 3 days after commissioning to drill the crew before transfer to the front occurs.

Responsibility for the transfer cruise is with the construction training command sailors throughout
the entire scope of the operation.

2) All Instruments are installed at the building yard for the handing over:
a) Boatswain Section (2 cars), shipment Navy Yard and Construction Yard.
b) Machinery- Section Diesel and Electric (1 car), shipment Navy Yard and Construction Yard.
c) Torpedo- Section, shipment Torpedo Test Establishment, Navy Yard and Construction Yard.
d) Articles- Section, shipment Navy Yard.
e) Wireless radio Section, shipment Navy Yard (After Evaluation of the system: Evaluation Electronics Commission)
f) Helm Machinery- Section, shipment Navy Yard and construction Yard.

3) Auxiliary Materials are the responsibility of the section for general Auxiliary Materials as required by the Construction Training Groups U-Boats Baltic and North Sea’s (Administrator) directorate and by the standing order of the Navy Yard for handing over.

4) Public, Restricted, Secret- and Secret Command Documents- Printed Text, - Maps and other matters normally printed for the

Guide for U-Boat Officers Concerning New U-Boat Orders for the Frontline - page 9

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construction training for the respective boat from the station –D.V. and Navy Yard. Torpedo –and Navigation Department; the Technical Regulation Directorate supply the original yards (Deschimag and Germania Yard), hand over to the new construction yards and on to the boats. On delivery, the recording officers for the boats, who until before commissioning lays down records concerning this in the book catalog and log books.

5) Of special importance, since the beginning of the war, a decree organizing general military and technical methods for the Navy High Command, for the Commander-in-Chief, for the C in C U-Boats from the construction training groups U-Boats Baltic and North Seas, in a compounded file has been forwarded to the following (posted) collectively: the newly built U-Boats with boat records maintained throughout the construction training :
a and b) Public and secret boat files concerning the Construction Training Commandant.
c and d) Public and secret boat files concerning Construction Training Chief Engineer.
e) General Command Document Boat Files Construction Training
f) Guide: Personal Background of the U-Boats up to the front line levels.
g) Guide: Rapid Training of U-Boats
h) Special War Patrol Cipher Machine.
The Records notebook a – g comes with commissioning concluding and unchanged components for the book files. These are handed over by the flotilla complete during continuing correspondence. (Public and secret hand files Commandant and Chief Engineer Flotilla Orders, Secret Command Documents. Boat Files Flotilla),

6) The concise report is taken after the last internal examination. Take over of the equipment, auxiliary material, and printed material is compiled by section over 2 days. Stowage is immediate in planned places, so that by the test run or transfer cruise it does not lay in the way.

7) After the decisive report a military watch is set in place.

8) Artillery and fuses are soon after commissioning transferred; a first production Machine Gun/C 30-, Signal, and E.S.N. munitions for security of the run- and transfer cruise follows through the construction training.

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V. Commissioning

1) The commissioning takes place at the building yard.

2) Each boat is laid over, so that it’s commissioning will be given with military ceremony. In the event of possible difficulties with the military festivities (generally with lots of food, visiting U-Boat monuments or special memorials) as decreed this will take place in the middle of the ceremony.

3) It stands to orders, that the members of the boats (from the U.B. ... U.C. ...) only present at the commissioning place during the ceremony should take part. Officers of the old boats accessible and available for the commissioning ceremony take part, in each case the individual commissioning terms are to be announced. On discharging of the old crew, senior crew and representatives from other units. Naval High Command sub division B. Nr. A I Z 15261/40 secret and A IV Z 1501/39 in the secret Construction Training File Commandant [illegible] 15/46 (Const. Traing. Gr. U-Boats East B. Nr. G 1705/40)

4) The means for invitation for yard members is through the yard head. The yard reviews the members of the old boats and the on board old staff of old boats.

5) For the commissioning the propaganda company are present with film and photo equipment. Single flotillas have a flotilla photograph.

6) For urgent transfer run through dangerous hostile waters U.A.G. –representatives follow through diving training (3 days time). Flotilla and barrage head for construction training groups U-Boats Baltic Sea and North Sea. Before transfer to the U-Boat Acceptance Commission Test Run demagnetization of North Sea U-Boats in Brunsbuttel, Baltic Sea boats in Kiel.

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7) The written commissioning announcement for all marine service places follows the given command for the Construction Training Group positions. At commissioning the construction number is no longer given, only the boat number is used. Field post numbers will be distributed by the Commander-in-Chief U-Boats – Organization before commissioning with the construction training. Use of this is authorized through the boat command from the first day of the commissioning.

8) With commissioning the boat is stepped up to its Front Flotilla and placed under their discipline and administration. Through the execution of the test run the U-Boat Acceptance Commission has completed its thorough going over.

Anl. 3 to Construction Training U-Boats Germania Yard, B-Nr.

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B. A.A.C. [U-Boat Acceptance Commission] Test Runs.

Entry Remarks:

Part B- “A.A.C.- Test Runs” the next, which will be held in Kiel, Danzig and Gotenhafen. Should the site for test runs be altered, it is mandatory that the other places are selected and correspondence of the orders carried out for the respective circumstances.

Contents:

I. Organization of the U.A.C.
II. Minor - and major considerations.
III. Purpose, duration and transference to the Test Run.
IV. General arrangement (Report, Security Measures single and continual, march across the sea).
V. Lying up places in Kiel, Danzig and Gotenhafen.
VI. Accommodation of the crew in Kiel, Danzig and Gotenhafen.
VII. Embarking of the U-Boat.
VIII. Final adjustments, overhauling, requirements of the systems and auxiliary materials.

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1. Organization of the U.A.C.

The Submarine Acceptance Commission (U.A.C.) is placed under the military E.K.K. [Test Run Commission for New Ships: TRCNS]. All test run affairs are reported directly to the U.A.C. by Navy High Command orders.
The U.A.C. is made up of staff which is based in Kiel, and quartered in a U-boat tender the“Acheron” and 6 submarine acceptance groups (U.A.G.). The U.A.G. 1,3 and 5 have their base in Danzig, and are housed aboard the “Messina” and “Iberia”. U.A.G. 2,4 and 6 are based in Kiel and are housed aboard the “Amazone”. Chief of the U.A.C. is a Senior Captain.

The staff of the U.A.C. is based together with his staff officers and staff members, the required officers, upper and middle construction officials for the ship and machine construction and the corresponding lower staff.
Every U.A.G. is passed by the head, the 1. Military advisor, higher construction office for ship and machine construction and the required lower staff.

The U.A.C. is the superior service of the U.A.G.s. All total corresponding matters from the U.A.G.s pass through the U.A.C.

In Danzig the head of the U.A.G. is the permanent representative of the chiefs of the U.A.C. He is the head of groups 3 and 5 over which all military and important test run issues are reviewed.
The U.A.G. leader for the transfer and test runs for the boats and through to the administration of the yard trim investigation parts, has the ability to reach all personnel of the U.A.G.s, but does not have as far a reach as that of the U.A.C. personnel.

The U.A.C. has the administrative authority.

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II. Subordinate and Superior Divisions.

1) The location for U-Boat test runs are the chief of the Test Run Commission for New Ships authority. The personnel and disciplinary concerns of the U-Boats remain under the authority of the Flotilla Chief on duty.

2) The chief of the U.A.C and his authority over the newly built U-Boats and with them their respective crews is opposite the authority by orders of the Chiefs of the T.R.C.N.S. Cipher II 1 regarding boats which the chief of the T.R.C.N.S. himself is in charge of. He is for the duration of the test runs superior to the commanders and their crews found aboard U-Boats engaged in test running.

3) The staff officers and their staffs have equal authority according to Cipher II 1 and 2.

4) The head of the U-Boat Acceptance Groups are likewise in authority in accordance with Cipher II 1 and 2 and are for the duration of the occupied time of the test run superior to the commanders and the crews of the respective test running U-Boats.

5) The Engineering Officer and his staff of the U.A.C. and the first military advisor of the U-Boat Acceptance Groups are superior to the Chief Engineer and the technical personnel for the test run aboard the awaiting new U-Boats so as to be able to oversee the technical workings of the machine personnel and the handling of the technical apparatus.

6) Announcements for the commissioning of Boats:
a) in Kiel:
Commandant: with the Chief of the U.A.C.
with the Staff Officers with staff from the U.A.C.
L.J.: with the Staff Officers with staff from the U.A.C.
Cmdr. And L.J. with Commander-in-Chief U-Boats Organization and Navy.

b) in Danzig:
Commandant: with Chief of the U.A.C. I
L.J.: with first military advisor for the U-Boat Acceptance Group I

Higher objectives of the Construction bureau regulations according to Navy High Command Book 6 Section b.

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III. Objectives, duration, and realization of the Test Runs.

1.) Objectives of the Test Run are to strengthen the boat in all areas for front line action. Determined deficiencies should be noted and targeted for improvement by completion. Further service during the Test Run is to provide equal time for training the crew and support, through this, for the personnel, the boat and familiarization with its specialized equipment so as to build thorough trust in the boat..

2.) The Test Run Divisions begin in general after the order given by the Commander-in-Chief U-Boats – Org.- Boat number G 2715 M v. 30.3.40 and C-in-C _Boats –Org.-B.Nr. G 6672 M from the 29.4.41 setting training time from 3 days for North Sea boats, 2 days for Baltic Sea boats with the arrival of the boats and the announcement by the commanders within the U.A.C and concluding with the day, the test runs are completed and transfers to the front flotillas are given. The orders for the Test Run Divisions are decreed by U.A.C from the Naval high Command. Likewise at the beginning of the 1 year guarantee at this time applications by the U.A.C. are approved by the Navy High Command. In general it is feasible to complete normal test runs in series:
For type IX = 30 days, for type VII B and C = 28 days, for type II D = 21 days. For test runs of type boats the corresponding times are demanded.

3.) The transfer following the test runs is set by the Navy High Command by type with respect to test run series plans for the respective boat types. These follow in sections:
1. Section in Kiel
2. Section in Danzig and Gotenhafen.
Included in 1. Section is completed with the test run, which can be performed in Kiel Harbor. It includes these: Provisional and final trim test, test operation of the communication system by the Navy Yard Kiel, Communications [Electronics] Command and Communications Test Command, test run of the ship and engine construction auxiliary adjustments, test of the fuel oil and motor [electric motor] assembly, test of the torpedo tubes with model torpedoes and mines.
Included in 2. Section including the Danzig transfer cruise: Mileage cruise, anchor maneuvers, Engine maneuvers (gyrocompass and rotation limits) and diving and travel with and without negative buoyancy, density test, listening apparatus test.

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The test operation for torpedo re-enforcement is through the Torpedo Test Command [T.E.K.] located in Gotenhafen.
The cruise from Kiel to the east (Danzig or Gotenhafen) is to take advantage of the eight hour full speed test run on the Diesel engines. Here is also found the fuel oil and motor oil consumable materials. For the course to the east and the eight hour full speed test run the following orders are to be taken into consideration:
By surface water travel the under sections of the boats are to be used for instruction in the complete pressure sealing of the for and aft diving cells:
1) With each cruise and in every possible weather situation the forward hydroplanes for each type boat are to be positioned at 7° over normal respectively. At higher variable speeds the aft hydroplanes 2 to 4 ° over the horizontal.

2) The gear knobs for the hydroplanes are set opposite the intended operational position for secure operation. (Security is preeminent).

3) Bridge watch and the control room watch are specific in their positioning to their view over the boat. In the control room the depth gauge, buoyancy indicator and hydroplane indicator are visible to over sight. Rake of the boat by more than 1° to the forward, is performed by the central diving cell with air pressure blowing. The blowing, when nothing special is noted, all must be completed in 2 hours.
If the dive planes become disabled, it may nevertheless, even in the event of bad weather, be the case that they have gradually overheated under the influence of excessive operational load. With closure of the watertight bow and when the for diving cell is fully flooded, the for hydroplane operation is not hindered.
The adjustment of the exact mass during travel may be done with an open damper valve, water tight stern and water tight bow, the degree of buoyancy “b” and from flattened water. During travel with an open damper valve, water tight stern and water tight bow is from time to time made possible through the external forward diving cell being cleared with air pressure blowing.

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For the eight hour full speed test run it is ordered to:

1) Damper valve, watertight stern, watertight bow “to”.

2) Forward diving cell executes minimum hourly air pressure blowing. So the full speed test run makes the most of the transfer cruise, it is mandatory that the bridge and control room watch pay the highest possible attention to details.

The undertaking of the 2nd section must emphasize especially the preparation for action in war zones. Should such action zones change, then the test runs will all continue with transfer to the western Baltic sea (Eckernford –Bay).

The U.A.C and U. A. Groups in Danzig decree for every day and every boat an order, which is taken, regarding test run intentions and which preparations and special increments the boat commanders must undertake.

No boat shall be allowed to undertake diving exercises by it self before being approved to do so by the U.A.C.

During the course of the test running all servicing is through M, C-in-C U-Boats, and flotillas issue the orders and instructions.
For U.A.C. matters the corresponding arrangements are within the “Standing Orders of the U.A.C.”

That the U.A.C. of the Navy High Command opposes responsibility for all deficiencies, failures, defects, and damage known and removed, are all the extent of its concerns, for as long as there are negligible methods, which will be announced by the U.A.G.

The commander assumes during the test run, and the test cruise, the complete responsibility for the control and security of the U-Boats. He has during duration of the transfer cruise and the under sea warfare test run the essential personnel necessary for the cruise to reach the ordered position.

The Chief of the U.A.C. or the head of the U.A.G. can during the test run assess the commanders of the recalled U-Boats and along with that the complete responsibility for the security of the U-Boat operations.
The Chief Engineer has the entire responsibility for the control of the mechanical drive and the transfer cruise’s issued written precautions.

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The Staff Officer and his staff or the Engineering Officer and his staff or the first Military Advisor of the U.A.G. can direct the dive to depth, and the head, and therefore the entire responsibility for the security of the test run machinery is found with them, as well as electrical equipment and submersion equipment.

Guide for U-Boat Officers Concerning New U-Boat Orders for the Frontline - page 19

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Precautions:
For the test run to be effective the recorded Precautionary Regulations may be found in the Diving Regulations of the C-in-C U-Boats with the flotilla.
Throughout the contents it is ordered:

a) that it continues to be standard during every undersea cruise, as a matter of principle, that the periscope will continuously display a “red” flag, so as to make it easier while cruising through foreign waters, and to allow the U-Boats to remain and proceed with training.

b) New to the U.A.C. passing alone (without the U.A.G. on board) U-Boats can not dive, before the chief of the U.A.C. gives the permission to do so. The first dive will be basic throughout the U.A.G. transfer cruise. Diving without instruction from a Precautionary Course Certificate is for the duration of the war forbidden.

c) While performing diving maneuvers near the harbor area, it is fundamental for the commander to maintain observation through the periscope, and to keep it in hand, throughout the course of the transfer cruise, when the boat is not taken over from an office of the U.A.C.

d) Every dive is reported from a secure area. While test running with longer dive times with the longest for up to 2 hours a report between dives is given.

e) Boats in the Test Run portion will perform and be tested in maneuvers, and with further maneuvers, special attention may call for an experienced NCO to supervise the post of engine room telegraph. The Chief Engineer will “keep his ears closed” in the engine room.

3) With every entry and exit the appropriate regulation is used to note the path, communications traffic is similarly noted exactly. Before each exit the boat commander must him self make sure that the exit path is clear through questioning the appropriate coastal authority (harbormaster). The same goes for travel within Kiel harbor, especially after air attack. Exiting and entry announcements by station O and coastal authority orders in the western Baltic Sea stand untouched according to the U.A.C. corresponding announcement

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that boat commanders may pass by the blockade watch vessels.

4.) Cruise over sea (from the shipyard to Kiel, from Kiel to Danzig or Gotenhafen) is allowed only under escort. For the march from Kiel to Danzig or Gotenhafen the following occurs: from Kiel the light vessel goes out daily at sunrise, and 1 half hour before sunrise a light escort from Kiel departs. For the march to the east the U-Boat must also depart by sunrise and 1 half hour before sunrise in Kiel a light escort stands and sets sail from there as escort until reaching the blockade, it is necessary that this continues. Then they may proceed to the east. Escort ships become equipped to act correspondingly as either a steamer or a fishing trawler. Recorded signals of the escort ships:
The steamer sets pennant 8, as the international fishing trawler signal “Z” under a ball, selecting fishing trawler tug apparatus.

Announcements to the escort by coastal authorities in the western Baltic Sea occur through the U.A.C.

Generally it applies: before each exit the commander and the 1st Officer of the boats corresponding to orders by the Chief of the U.A.C. or staff officer connected to his staff. It is put into destination place immediately through announcement by telegraph from the U.A.C.

If necessary alternatively in the escort system the U-Boats will be given orders on a case by case practice by the U.A.C.

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V. Berthing places in Kiel, Danzig and Gotenhafen.

1.) In Kiel lying in for the test run for U-Boats is generally found at the Blucher bridge or in the Wik on the Tirpitz jetty. The distribution of the berthing places is regulated by the U.A.C. After the division of berthing places is made possible, the boats are berthed close to each other as precaution against air attack. For the boats that must enter the yard, inquiry from the yard concerned must be placed through the U.A.C. or the U. A.G. to prepare berthing places.

2.) In Danzig berthing the U-Boats takes place at the berthing place in Holm, the U.A.C. issues the order where the birthing places are located. Sharing the regulations with the U.A.G.I. for the berthing places in the yard falls upon the U.A.G. I.

3.) In Gotenhafen during the Torpedo Testing Commands [TTC]- Test Runs the boats are berthed at the Torpedo Test Establishment [TVA]- Bridge. Assignment of the berthing places comes through the TTC. For the duration of the war there will be special precautions put into action for protection against air attack.

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VI. Accommodation of the Crews in Kiel, Danzig and Gotenhafen.

1.) In Kiel the crews from the U-Boats berthed at the Blucher Bridge are accommodated aboard the quarter ship &#Amazon’. The crews from the boats to be berthed at the Wik reside on the quarter and escort vessel located at the flotilla place. The accommodation overload from the U-Boat personnel (Construction Training and other boats) destined for the quarter ship “Amazon” is normally high and quartering aboard is undesirable. These personnel must locate separate quarters aboard vessels in the Wik. For on time booking these soldiers at the main base Kiel consult their respective construction training commands for that jurisdiction. (Berthing for “Amazon” is handled by the quarter ships officers).

2.) In Danzig the berthing is operated by the quarter vessel “Iberia” and the escort ship “Messina”. Here overbooked personnel can find quarters. Jurisdiction for quartering questions: Head of the U.A.G. I.

3.) During the TTC-test runs in Gotenhafen locations for berthing the crews on a quarter ship are ordered, By the authority of the Anti-Submarine School [UAS]. Jurisdiction is the TTC.

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VII. Embarking on the U-Boat.

Should foreign persons (U.A.C. and U.A.G., other service members, civilians) embark on a U-Boat, it is by the orders of the U.A.C. that this be brought to the U.A.C. awareness in good time. The purpose for this is to make up for the loss of crew rations consumed which is of concern to the flotilla, and to make certain this is known aboard the boat, as required from the U.A.C. By this, it can be made certain which members of the U.A.C. and U.A.G. had taken part in onboard commissioning.

For the regulations for the disembarking service persons and other service personnel and civilians are made for the concerns of the boat commander.

Persons, whom are not taking part in troop rationing, also must carry a rationing card, and it is necessary for the commissioning ceremony to be given a corresponding rationing card.

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VII. Final Adjustments, Commissioning Work, Requisitions for Auxiliary Materials.

1.) Final Adjustments and Commissioning Work.

Principals for the management of final adjustments on newly commissioned U-Boats during the Test Run Period.
The first time inspection of the boats in all sections through the U.A.C. finds front line destined boats at the dock side inspection along side the final inspection cruise place.

In cases where identification of the final adjustments are made for boats put in dry dock upon returning from a war cruise, it is essential that knowledge gained about small alterations and improvements are identified, and their proper execution implemented in new boats, before the commissioning by the Superintendent of Shipbuilding. This takes place at the combined conference with the construction training and the building yard personnel including the U.A.C. After this the new boats acceptance is announced.

Major adjustments for the concerned boat types are done through Navy High Command orders and the carrying out of as well the final inspection through the U.A.C. assessment, and the appointment of its final posting.

To whom command of the Acceptance Test Run opportunity is given, and with it, taking part in the conference concerning needs and fulfilling them, will be assigned. The latter will occur, so far as it is considered functional.
During the test run time in Kiel and Danzig the path is continuously being worked out, as is guaranteed by the building yard to and from the guarantee personnel - when necessary under the aid of a place available as a work shop - or yard - in order to finish the testing.

As for the commanders whom are identified early to participate in the runs this can be made by the U.A.C. and in Danzig by the U.A.G. Completion points for building are in a register, so to complete ship building and machinery construction, construction rate times must be doubled to pass.

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In special urgent cases, where a U.A.G. is not within reach, the U-Boat commander places an order for an exceptional temporary provisional job order with the note from “regular job order sequence”, announced by the U.A.G., which places the regular orders and continues with the sequence “provisional job order prepared for placement”.

The provisional job orders are from the commanders and in only special cases may be underwritten by other officers from the involved boats.

Personal desires of the individual commander must therefore in the interest of the relieved from all positions be continuously stepped back. It is not conventional, that for example, installation of fixtures and groupings for the command system on each boat be necessarily implemented differently.

Defects out of being run aground from war patrols must be announced by the flotilla and for each boat type, it is essential that they be weeded out in cooperation with the maintenance location.

By completion of the test run in Danzig the U.A.G issues closing comments with the commander of the U.A.C., a connected repair list which consists of left over points, these are based as well with the U.A.C. with the series plan sent over to finish the work of the final inspection taken up from the Kiel test run. This list is issued for all boat commanders.

From this list it will then be made absolutely clear, for the boat commanders, which final adjustments must be performed, which are to be checked out through the U.A.C. obligating the necessary job orders to the construction yards and the relevant navy yard, to be completed by the time of the next final adjustment and yard time.

So it becomes likewise for the relevant flotilla and for the boats of the 2. U Flotilla supplied by the construction training group North Sea.

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Results of the examination by the U.A.G. are finalized in a final adjustment list through the U.A.C. including modifications, so it comes to the boat commanders through communication from the U.A.C. A direct submission of the final adjustment through the commanders at the yards is inadmissible, so long as the boats remain in the test run portion and travel is impossible.

2.) Demands for systems and auxiliary materials must be followed up through the appropriate flotilla administrator to be completed. In exceptional cases (Flotilla Administrators not in place) policy can allow demands over the expertise of the U.A.C. to be taken.
Note: Particular details are to be seen in “Standing Orders of the U.A.C.”

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C. Exercises for the U-Training Flotillas.

In the annexation steps for a boat from the U.A.C. test run to a training flotilla, 25. Or 26. Submarine Flotilla, the training operations comprise:

1.) Operation of the Torpedo reinforcement and fire control system.
2.) Training in Diving and Trim Regulation.
3.) Day and Night Firing.

At the end of the training, the commander should have command of his boat securely in hand. All posts, during diving, during under water attack, during surface attack work in unison, and should play as one. The commander and the T.O. [Tactical Officer] (Surface-Night Attack) should a sufficient open fire opportunity be achieved, it is desirable for them, on a boat at the front and under difficult circumstances (high security) and opposing diverse goals (merchant ships, war ships, destroyer) security must be brought to the firing.

The training is generally carried out in 3 weeks.
Before the transfer to these U-Boat flotillas is carried out a telex announcement will probably be issued.

Steps to be taken by the boat:
a) The standard calibration orders
b) The daily calibration order
c) A collective memo of importance for the berthing harbors in force per commanders orders, the moment a pullout from the “Standard Flotilla Orders” is issued.
d) A notebook about provisions and material provisioning.
e) A file “War Patrols” for the commander and L.J.
f) The file U-Boats.

Officers and a section of the crew brought over to the quartering vessel the moment a place is available.

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For every boat that stands in closedown, the storeroom is to take up redundant equipment items according to orders.

In 1) The service personnel for torpedo reinforcement and Flotilla equipment become through instruction and practical exercise thoroughly trained.

In 2) The training in diving and trim regulation is completed with special exercise fixed training days, so as to complete the calibration. The training officers themselves support the commanders of each boat additionally and the L.J. for every training.

In 3) The training in day - and night firing take place under considerable security and take the appropriate actions for improving shooting performance. It is fundamental with the flotilla system to have fired. The participants serving with the commander and his crew must run up to the number B3 - followed by B7, D8 and B9 - and run up next to C3 and C7.The day and night shooting training concludes with an escort convoy requested for additional training achievement in day and night firing. The last night deployment concludes in a surface attack alarm dive. The training plan for each boat is specially modified for the boats special needs. In the regular closing discussion the commanders may speak out their wishes, so that an agreed outline on the training potentials may be taken, and taken into consideration.
All further details on the execution of the firing are given in the “Standard: Firing Orders” and the “Daily Firing Orders”.

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D. Tactical Training

Towards the conclusion of the test runs for all U-Boat commanders accepted pro procura upon the completion of Depth - and Firing Training, as the last training stage before reaching frontline readiness, the boats will take part in the tactical exercises of the 2nd U-Flotilla.

Purpose and goals of the tactical exercises are for the entire crew of the U-Boat to conduct moderate combat exercises in order to maintain combat discipline and control for the purpose of maintaining cohesion in all situations when later combat duty is put to the test.

The exercises find through navigation schooling that the U-Boats standing in free sea space extended themselves over a time space of about 14 days. The participation of sea plane units in the tactical exercises is to enhance the combat discipline characteristics of the exercises concentration and build them as the norm.

The details of the exercise contents are out of the “Standard Exercise Orders” of the 27th U-Flotilla as well as from the Implementation Orders for the individual exercises.

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Communications Regulations

(Special regulations for U-Boats from commissioning to war patrols.)

1.) All U-Boats switching in the Navy Yard canal generally enclosed in “Standing War Order of the C-in-C U-Boats Nr. 200” contrary N.V. II Plan 15 cipher 17 the U-Boat short and ultra long wave of the North Sea.

2.) The U-Boat security frequency is “Karl-Fritz” equal to 71.77 m. It is used on all Baltic Sea patrol and war patrol and individual training U-Boats switching over.Training flotillas (Training Flotillas) switching their flotilla short frequencies.
War patrol escort ships and tenders switching to equipment for the Coastal Long Wave East or the Coastal Short Wave East frequencies.

3.) The head of the U Boat Security Frequency East has the 1. U-Boat Flotilla as U-Boats Support Point Kiel with the Rotational Radio System “k a s “. Opposite radio position is 1. U Boat Instruction Divison from the tender “Danube” with the Rotational Radio System “h a d” equal M.F.S.” (School) Neustadt.

4.) The U-Boat security frequency East needs installation. It is generally ordered through telephone or telex. The appropriate announcement service in accordance with N.V. II Plan 15 is however in every case conditional for a flawless security service.

5.) Daily 0800 operating time through the central office, is the same for U-Boats at sea as for those that are not.
If the operating time for the frequency for U-Boats occupying see locations, is equivalent to the Coastal Long Wave East Frequency, around the immediate transmission of warning announcements entry and exit will be blocked. In quiet times the content for the security frequency can be filled with dummy messages operating in response to single question transmissions, to which the answers are, corrected on the U-Boats. Diving announcements are only issued by radio.

6.) Possible necessary operative switching according to N.V. II Plan 19 will from hereon not be met.

7.) During the U.A.C- Test Run radio switching aboard the U-Boats will be according to the U.A.C.

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[END]

Published: Mon Apr 27 09:06:53 EDT 2015