Life Inside a WWII Type IXC Submarine (Cross Section)

The nightmares of Allied cargo shipping, the German U-Boats reigned supreme in the turbulent seas during 1940-1942. Taking one of these U-Boats as an example, the U-505 submarine sunk an impressive 8 ships and yet still was below the devastating 14:1 average of the early war years. But what did life look like beneath the 1,120 t exterior?

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Credit:
Show Created by Daniel Turner (B.A. (Hons) in History, University College London)
Script: Robert de Graaf
Narrator:

Chris Kane

Dear, I.C.B. and M.R.D Foot, editors. The Oxford Companion to World War II. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1995.

“Type IX U-boat.” Uboataces.

“U-Boat types: Type IXC.” Uboat.

“U-boat: U-505 (Type IXC). Militaryfactory.

“Life Aboard a U-boat.” Uboataces.

”75 Facts about U-505: Life on Board” Museum of Science and Industry.

[rongendron]

I went on the U505 in a Chicago museum, about 20 years ago & was fortunate to have a
former WWII, U-Boat sailor going through the tour, with me! He said the Commander of the
505 was his boat's Exec-Officer, when he served! His description of "life on U-boats", was
way more informative than the museum's guide! Cramped quarters would be an understatement!

[erickam]

I've seen the U505 up close and personal at the museum, it really is a tight fit! There are also so many knobs and levers that operated the submarine that i didn't even know what to do with! Truly a fascinating part of history and a great link to the past and a part of the Second World War that isn't talked about much.

[cha]

Das Boot is the essential submarine movie.

[oatmeal]

Love how much the animation has improved on this channel.

[elitely]

Man I love cross sections for vehicles, machines anything! Great video as always Simple History!

[Yotarian]

Brings me back to when I used to have all those cross section books. Had castles, boats, heavy construction, the space shuttle, etc. It was so cool to see inside them.

[MyLateralThawts]

Excellent video. I believe I’m not the only one who would like to see a follow up video covering the Type XXI U-Boot.

[shadow_]

The most unexpected face reveal in history

[bubbalo]

I toured the Battleship Missouri and submarine Bowfin in Oahu. The Missouri was an amazing experience to see, but the Bowifn I felt was the most amazing. The Missouri was kind of what I imagined it would be. The Bowfin on the other hand made me rethink how cramped I imagined it would be. I imagined space would be tight, but not that tight. It was very interesting and eye opening to imagine being crammed into such a tiny space with others for so long. And it was eerie thinking being so confined underwater and being hunted. It's a coffin. You just can't abandon ship. Every fear one can imagine of dying from is all there.

Great respect for people who served on submarines during the war.

[germanperp]

I was in the U505 in Chicago 6 years ago. They toed the sub through the greate lakes and had a huge system to essentially roll the sub and lower it into the new addition of the museum, then built the ceiling over it. They also had to cut the top of the conning tower off so it would fit the new space. It is also extremely cramped inside. Much more than the video can explain. I honestly have no idea how 50 sailors could work in those cramped conditions. I would develop claustrophobia pretty quickly.

[lordnugget]

I’ve been in multiple submarines before and the U-505 is very tiny inside but massive on the outside it is a very cool ship and I’ve seen footage in the museum of them capturing the submarine. When I compared the U-505 to an American Gato Class the Gato was about a third larger and much more spacious.

[Daniel_McDonald]

Man, World of Warships really takes us back to the good old days of fighting wars from behind our computers.

[michaelmorrigan]

I cant wait until the "Uboat" developers finish the Type IX DLC. Patrolling off the east coast of America will be exciting, and give the Brits a much needed break from my escapades 😊

[lindaoneil]

I visited the U-505 some years ago, and the best part was the simulated depth charge explosion near the hull. There was a tremendous explosion that violently shook the sub and the lights flickered. It was a sobering experience, realizing the dangers that submarine crews faced. Sinking to the bottom of the ocean and no way to get thought.

[travishabursky]

I’ve been in that boat multiple times in my life, such a beautiful vessel.

[andrewmontgomery]

Perfect for my birthday yesterday and also a fitting tribute to the man who gave us Das Boot (The Boat) Wolfgang Petersen who passed away last year.

[cxrive]

Never seen your face, but seen almost all your content, keep it up as I learn more history!

[smtoonturkce]

*Being inside WW2 submarine was often times a straight death sentence*

[alexanderleach]

I saw U-505 in Chicago. She's a marvelous U-boat. THe first enemy ship captured by the US Navy since the War of 1812.

[average_joe]

U-505 has been on my visit list for quite sometime, but haven't been able to make it to Chicago for long enough to see her.