A question re. German navy (Marine) ranks at U-boats

[WildeSau75]

Hi guys,

Guess that's my first post in a non aircraft related forum here at BM.

I am just watching the movie "Das Boot" (the boat) and wonder why all U-boat "captains" have the rank of a "Kapitän- Leutnant" rather than another sort of a captain as on most Kriegsmarine ships?

Or maybe it's just me thinking this and I miss something...

TIA.

Cheers,

Michael

[JackG]

Guessing it has something to do with years of service combined with training required with a certain ship type. Considering Uboats were one of more of the numerous (and smaller class), it allowed more junior officers to be award a command?

Good break down and explanation of the ranks here:

http://uboat.net/men/ranks/

regards,

Jack

[WildeSau75]

Guessing it has something to do with years of service combined with training required with a certain ship type. Considering Uboats were one of more of the numerous (and smaller class), it allowed more junior officers to be award a command?

Good break down and explanation of the ranks here:

http://uboat.net/men/ranks/

regards,

Jack

Thanks Jack - that sounds reasonable indeed. Altough I wonder if commanding an U-boat required less experience than i.e. commanding a destroyer.

But probably there were commanders of destroyers at the rank of Kaleus too.

Anyway, interesting link you sent - thanks for that too.

Cheers,

Michael