German submarines: Technology fascination and terror

Submarines of the Second World War evoke a variety of emotions. Experience the tension between fascinating technology and the terror of war in our new exhibition

This ambivalence of the subject requires a sensitive and differentiated approach to the sources and a balanced presentation.  Thus, within this exhibition unit, the complex technology for underwater travel and vehicles designed for wartime use will be illustrated. However, it is also important for us to show the (economic) political and strategic conditions under which submarines were built and deployed. In the foreground of the exhibition unit on German submarines are the people in the boats; in particular their motivations and experiences, but also the sacrifices they made. Thanks to many personal objects of submariners we can present a detailed picture and an informative cross-section of the historical conditions.

It is our intention, against the background of technical aspects in the exhibition area "German Submarines in World War II", to present submariners, forced labourers and other persons affected by the submarine warfare with their individual experiences under the brutal circumstances prevailing at that time in a differentiated way.

Our "Seehund" is the centre of the new exhibition area

At the centre of this exhibition area is the smallest submarine type XXVIIB/127 Seal.

Our "Seal" is one of the three specimens salvaged in 1969 in the western harbour of Wilhelmshaven, which were sunk there in spring 1945 by members of the navy themselves. The location and equipment of the boat suggest that our boat was not used in front line operations, but that it was just about to be equipped after production (at an as yet unknown shipyard) and delivery.