WI: Kaiserliche Marine adapts Jeune Ecole

Habitability is a matter of perception and expectation. U-boat crews were used to living and fighting in very cramped condition and knew that no alternative was available. In contrast, the dreadnought crews, used to more spacious accommodation ashore, were less experienced with and less used to the cramped accommodation on board ship - even though that accommodation would probably have been regarded very favourably by the U-boat crews! The lack of experience with shipboard conditions would presumably manifest itself as a loss of fighting efficiency and morale during a prolonged cruise.

So strict comparisons of conditions can be unreliable, we need to account for the nature, experience and expectations of the crews too.
 
So strict comparisons of conditions can be unreliable, we need to account for the nature, experience and expectations of the crews too.
During WW2, one class of small craft was plagued with complaints about poor seakeeping - excessive roll, water on deck, the whole nine yards - yet when experienced MTB officers went to investigate found no issue whatsoever. Further examination discovered that those making the complaints had a history of seasickness even in large ships, and had been posted to small craft since they'd be able to spend most of their time ashore.
 
So we are looking at roughly a quarter to a third more crew. Got these from Conways didn't you? :) I asked on another forum and a buddy pulled up the figures from his volume. Not as many as I'd thought but still substantial. I am starting to think the whole issue of habitability (or lack thereof) for the Germans is overstated. I'll repost the question over on Navweaps and see what comes of it. I trawled through old posts and it's been mentioned a few times in the past, but not a lot of substantive value was added. Fortunately there are now a number of native German speakers on that forum so perhaps we can get something close to original source info.

Yep, Conways. It probably had the data for the BC's as well, but I just copied the BB info.
 
So strict comparisons of conditions can be unreliable, we need to account for the nature, experience and expectations of the crews too.

Judging from other German raiders, morale revolved around coaling (coaling day was maximum suckage day), food quality, weather, level of excitement and danger. Morale in the raiding forces tended to be high throughout, (with the probable exception of Dresden after laying up and a couple of the auxiliary raiders that suffered food or other difficulties).
 
Top