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The Navy Department Library
U-505 Red Notebook
Internal evidence suggests that the author of this notebook was a Maschinenobergefreiter (machinist) in the German Navy.
![Cover of a U-505 Red Notebook, measuring 7.5 cm in width and 11.1 cm in height. It has 48 remaining pages excluding a few that obviously have been torn out. Many of the pages have not been used. The numbering of pages lacks a coherent fashion. Cover of a U-505 Red Notebook, measuring 7.5 cm in width and 11.1 cm in height. It has 48 remaining pages excluding a few that obviously have been torn out. Many of the pages have not been used. The numbering of pages lacks a coherent fashion.](/content/history/nhhc/research/library/exhibits/documents-captured-on-german-submarine-u-505/u-505-red-notebook/_jcr_content/body/image.img.jpg/1473676342759.jpg)
1942
[Cover of a U-505 Red Notebook, measuring 7.5 cm in width and 11.1 cm in height. It has 48 remaining pages excluding a few that obviously have been torn out. Many of the pages have not been used. The numbering of pages is inconsistent.]
![The first page lists pieces of clothing in use by various crewmates and gives a translation of what one calorie is worth. The first page lists pieces of clothing in use by various crewmates and gives a translation of what one calorie is worth.](/content/history/nhhc/research/library/exhibits/documents-captured-on-german-submarine-u-505/u-505-red-notebook/_jcr_content/body/image_0.img.jpg/1473676335224.jpg)
One calorie = the energy that lifts one gram 428 meters into the air; or that heats one liter of water from 14.5°C to 15.5°C.
Göbler [Maschinenobergefreiter = machinist, Hans Göbeler]
1 [illegible] coat
1 [illegible] pair of pants
1 pair of gloves
1 pair of underwear
1 sport shirt
Neebe [Maschinenobergefreiter = machinist, Hans Neebe]
1 tank top
Bergmann [Maschinenobergefreiter = machinist, Helmut Bergmann]
1 pair of gym shorts
1 tank top
1 scarf
![This page lists fresh food provision This page lists fresh food provision](/content/history/nhhc/research/library/exhibits/documents-captured-on-german-submarine-u-505/u-505-red-notebook/_jcr_content/body/image_1.img.jpg/1473676327627.jpg)
Fresh food provisions
3 butter
12 sausages
[illegible] vegetables [illegible] for butter?
700 fruits
27 meat
1 kg eggs
30 x 20 bread
![These pages list further food provisions These pages list further food provisions](/content/history/nhhc/research/library/exhibits/documents-captured-on-german-submarine-u-505/u-505-red-notebook/_jcr_content/body/image_2.img.jpg/1473676350918.jpg)
31 coffee |
50 roast veal
|
![This page lists an illegible numerical table This page lists an illegible numerical table](/content/history/nhhc/research/library/exhibits/documents-captured-on-german-submarine-u-505/u-505-red-notebook/_jcr_content/body/image_3.img.jpg/1473676375644.jpg)
Marmalade
[illegible]
![Radio frequencies and readjustment technique for radio Radio frequencies and readjustment technique for radio](/content/history/nhhc/research/library/exhibits/documents-captured-on-german-submarine-u-505/u-505-red-notebook/_jcr_content/body/image_4.img.jpg/1473676359435.jpg)
For readjustment, anode power must be set to 160 (140-160). Antenna power to 5 (best reception)
[illegible frequencies]
![These pages list hours that the submarine was possibly forced to remain submerged and further radio broadcasting instructions These pages list hours that the submarine was possibly forced to remain submerged and further radio broadcasting instructions](/content/history/nhhc/research/library/exhibits/documents-captured-on-german-submarine-u-505/u-505-red-notebook/_jcr_content/body/image_5.img.jpg/1473676368577.jpg)
Encapsulated [may be “forced to stay submerged”] 15 Sept 23.00 to 16 Sept 17.00 (11 pm to 5 pm) = 18 hours |
For broad wave transmitting [receiving] turn switch to “Peilen” and button to FM receiver, while antenna plug removed from plugging board [the original script has been annotated at the end of this document to provide an electronic transcript of the rapidly fading original writing] 1 |
![Lists of appliances Lists of appliances](/content/history/nhhc/research/library/exhibits/documents-captured-on-german-submarine-u-505/u-505-red-notebook/_jcr_content/body/image_6.img.jpg/1473676318267.jpg)
3 FT keys |
1 sounding box (without pliers) |
![Assorted bearings Assorted bearings](/content/history/nhhc/research/library/exhibits/documents-captured-on-german-submarine-u-505/u-505-red-notebook/_jcr_content/body/image_7.img.jpg/1473676390464.jpg)
Assorted bearings off Ireland and Africa (“starboard aft”)
![This pages lists further notes concerning radioing This pages lists further notes concerning radioing](/content/history/nhhc/research/library/exhibits/documents-captured-on-german-submarine-u-505/u-505-red-notebook/_jcr_content/body/image_8.img.jpg/1473676399153.jpg)
12 hours after approach towards Ireland
13,000 m Zeitzeichen [unclear term]
correction from II WO (Second Watch Officer) from NBU length wave
![This page lists medicine to be taken This page lists medicine to be taken](/content/history/nhhc/research/library/exhibits/documents-captured-on-german-submarine-u-505/u-505-red-notebook/_jcr_content/body/image_9.img.jpg/1473676382695.jpg)
Pneumonia: 4 pieces Globucid [medicine], 2 pills every 2 hours
Boil [illegible]: 3x2 Globucid
![Game of hangman, possibly on October 24, 1943 Game of hangman, possibly on October 24, 1943](/content/history/nhhc/research/library/exhibits/documents-captured-on-german-submarine-u-505/u-505-red-notebook/_jcr_content/body/image_10.img.jpg/1473676310810.jpg)
24 October 1943, 19.55 [7:55 p.m.)
[The following are answers from the "Hangman" word game.]
PINNACLE
HORNED CATTLE
WINTER
OSRAM [German manufacturer of lamps]
FALL
BORDGEUS
![Fragment of a poorly-rhyming poem Fragment of a poorly-rhyming poem](/content/history/nhhc/research/library/exhibits/documents-captured-on-german-submarine-u-505/u-505-red-notebook/_jcr_content/body/image_11.img.jpg/1473676406329.jpg)
[The following is a fragment of a poorly-rhyming, vulgar poem:] 30 guilders for he who retrieves my golden watch from the shit. Men, children, and women, watch the shit house with disgust. But the house owner, an otherwise brave man, takes a closer look at the matter. Quickly, he removes his shirt and pants and jumps, head first into shit and dirt. There, one can see him paddling with busy diligence, with his strong arms, he parts the crap. Soon it is hard, soon it is soft, soon it is glutinous, and soon it is like dough. There, to his left, one can see the golden watch sparkle. There, says the owner of the house: well then, you found the golden watch, but the seconds-hand remains missing. [the original script has been annotated at the end of this document to provide an electronic transcript of the rapidly fading original writing] 2
![More "Hangman" and other notes More "Hangman" and other notes](/content/history/nhhc/research/library/exhibits/documents-captured-on-german-submarine-u-505/u-505-red-notebook/_jcr_content/body/image_12.img.jpg/1473676422569.jpg)
[The following are answers from the "Hangman" word game.] GLASSES |
Take a photograph of all junior officers after return to port
|
![Assorted scores, possibly from "Hangman" Assorted scores, possibly from "Hangman"](/content/history/nhhc/research/library/exhibits/documents-captured-on-german-submarine-u-505/u-505-red-notebook/_jcr_content/body/image_15.img.jpg/1473676414223.jpg)
![Assorted scores, possibly from "Hangman" Assorted scores, possibly from "Hangman"](/content/history/nhhc/research/library/exhibits/documents-captured-on-german-submarine-u-505/u-505-red-notebook/_jcr_content/body/image_14.img.jpg/1473676438808.jpg)
![Assorted scores, possibly from "Hangman" Assorted scores, possibly from "Hangman"](/content/history/nhhc/research/library/exhibits/documents-captured-on-german-submarine-u-505/u-505-red-notebook/_jcr_content/body/image_13.img.jpg/1473676431398.jpg)
[Assorted scores, possibly of “hangman” games]
![This page lists assorted birthdays, possibly of civilian relatives or friends. It also refers to a birthday of what could be the author's son or nephew and an address in the German city of Recklinghausen. This page lists assorted birthdays, possibly of civilian relatives or friends. It also refers to a birthday of what could be the author's son or nephew and an address in the German city of Recklinghausen.](/content/history/nhhc/research/library/exhibits/documents-captured-on-german-submarine-u-505/u-505-red-notebook/_jcr_content/body/image_17.img.jpg/1473676462177.jpg)
Assorted birthdays [of civilian relatives or friends?]
Jürgen
20 Sept 1943 [brought by?] Stork
Recklinghausen 52 [or S2], Grazer Str. 22
![This page contains an illegible list This page contains an illegible list](/content/history/nhhc/research/library/exhibits/documents-captured-on-german-submarine-u-505/u-505-red-notebook/_jcr_content/body/image_16.img.jpg/1473676454003.jpg)
[illegible]
![This page, which is the inside of the back cover, lists a Latin inscription This page, which is the inside of the back cover, lists a Latin inscription](/content/history/nhhc/research/library/exhibits/documents-captured-on-german-submarine-u-505/u-505-red-notebook/_jcr_content/body/image_18.img.jpg/1473676446343.jpg)
Natura non facil saltum
[Nature never moves by leaps i.e.: do things gradually.]
[END]