Deutsches U-Boot-Museum

The database project

In order to provide a fast and useful application of the comprehensive data of various Navies the records and do-cuments stored still by and large in paper format or on microfilm need to be transferred into digital format.

Even the existence of digital data as such does not allow a systematic access, only the creation of certain models of databases will enable a common and meaningful use. The example of two databases already in use with re-gard to the subject area of Kriegsmarine U-Boats shall demonstrate the variety of opportunities for research or simple interrogation, which supports significantly the responses to requests for information or scientific research

projects. The database Crewmembers - meanwhile some 36.000 datasets incorporated - contains besides impor-tant personal data information on ranks, circumstances of KIA, periods of combat engagement, service time on board U-Boats. Certain functions for challenge and reply processes following chosen criteria allow a fast identifi-cation of a person in question despite the enormous volume of data.

Even greater in volume is the contents of the database U-Boat Commanding Officers. This database can be ente-red through the pennant number of the U-Boat, or the important characters such as type, keel laying, launching, commissioning, shipyard of construction and whereabouts. Therefore, this database concentrates on the names of those U-Boat Commanding Officers which have actually served on the U-Boat in question. Starting by entering the pennant number of the U-Boat one can find access to documents such as U-Boat data sheets (sometimes up to 600 pages per U-Boat), war diaries and photographs of Commanding Officers. However, when engaging in a first random search the database crewmembers allows such access as well, thereby enabling a systematic compilation

of all relevant data with regard to a selected U-Boat. This database has grown to hold information about some 750 U-Boats*, including the names of Commanding Officers and their service records, all of which are linked to some 90.000 pages of documents (U-Boat data sheets and war diaries). All documents can be called up indivi-dually, to be consulted in detail or even be printed out.

The further transfer of important data into digital modus will take some more time to come. Nevertheless, the ad-vantages of such "network of data" can be experienced already at this early stage.

Status of data collection : May 2011