Special Sections

Glossary of Terms

Abbrevations

AKÄusserste Kraft (voraus).
Command for "full speed".
AtoAtmosphärisch getriebener Torpedo (also A-Torpedo)
A compressed-air-driven torpedo.
BdUBefehlshaber der Unterseeboote
Commander-in-Chief of U-boats, Karl Dönitz from 19 September, 1939.
BRTBruttoregistertonne
Gross register ton (also as GRT).
ESErkennungssignal
Recognition signal given by flags, signal lamp or signal pistol (the latter was usual for U-boats).
EtoElektrischer Torpedo
Electrically propelled torpedo.
FATFlächenabsuchender Torpedo
A torpedo that was capable of running in pre-programmed patterns and loops.
FdUFührer der Unterseeboote
Commander of U-boats.
FTFunktelegramm
Radio message.
FuMBFUnk-Mess-Beobachtung
Radar detection.
FuMOFUunk-Mess-Ortung
Radar. (RadioDetection).
G 7aGeradlaufapparat 7 (meters length) a (atmosphärisch)
A compressed air propelled torpedo.
G 7eGeradlaufapparat 7(meters length) e (elektrisch)
Electrically propelled torpedo.
GHGGruppenHorchGerät
Hydrophone underwater sound detector.
I WOErster Wachoffizier
First Watch Officer.
II LIZweiter Ingenieur
Second Engineering Officer.
II WOZweiter Wachoffizier
Second Watch Officer.
III WODritter Wach-Offizier
Third Watch Officer (as a rule the "Obersteuermann").
KaleuKapitänleutnant
(also Kaleun or Kaleunt).
Kaptlt.Kapitänleutnant (also Kl, KL, Kptlt.)
Lieutenant Commander.
Korvkpt.Korvettenkapitän
Commander (also KK).
KTBKriegstagebuch
Log Book. (war diary).
LILeitender Ingenieur
Chief Engineering Officer.
Ltnt. z. S.Leutnant zur See
Lieutenant (also L, Ltn. or Lt.).
LUTLagenunabhängiger Torpedo
A torpedo that could be preset to steer itself on a particular bearing.
MNDMarine-Nachrichten-Dienst
German naval radio intelligence service.
ObdMOberbefehlshaber der Marine
Commander-in-Chief of the Navy.
Oblt. z. S.Oberleutnant zur See
Lieutenant (also OL, Oblnt. z. S.).
OKMOberkommando der Marine
Naval High Command, equivalent of British Admiralty.
OKWOberkommando der Wehrmacht
High Command of the Armed Forces.
SKLSeekriegsleitung
German Supreme Naval Command.
TEKTorpedo-Erprobungs-Kommando
Torpedo proving section.
TVATorpedo-Versuchs-Anstalt
Experimental torpedo section
UAAUnterseeboots-Ausbildung-Abteilung
Section responsible for training U-boat crew.
UAKUnterseeboots-Abnahme-Kommando
Unit which took over and commissioned newly constructed U-boats from the shipyards.
UJUnterseeboots-Jäger
German submarine chasers, often converted trawlers.
ULDU-Boots-Lehr-Division
U-boats training division.
UTUnterwasser-Telefonie
Device for communicating with U-boats or surface vessels while submerged.(underwater telephone).
UZOU-Boot-Ziel-Optik
U-boat target optic (aiming binoculars).
VOVerwaltungsoffizier
Administrative officer.

Glossary list

Commander nicknames

Special thanks to Bob Connolly for language editing and additions.