The Movie U-571 is not based on the actual circumstances of the naval career of the German Submarine named U-571. Rather, it is a fictional narrative, loosely based on events involving several different German submarines during World War II, including U-110, U-570, U-559, and U-505.

What submarine was used in the movie U-571?

submarine S-33
The US Navy has its submarine S-33 modified to resemble a German resupply U-boat, to try to steal the Enigma machine coding device and sink the U-571.

Is Das Boot true story?

Originally released in 1981, the film Das Boot is based on the true story of a German Submarine and its crew during World War II…a chillingly detailed look at the rigors of war in a U-boat.

What is the movie U-571 about?

When a German U-571 submarine with a sophisticated encryption machine onboard is sunk during a World War II battle at sea, the Allies send an American Navy force led by Lieutenant Andrew Tyler (Matthew McConaughey) to retrieve it for study. Boarding the German ship, the Americans’ cover as a rescue force is quickly blown. Forced to take the crew hostage, the Americans lay their explosives and prepare to destroy the German vessel before the Nazis can send naval backup.
U-571/Film synopsis

Who stole the first Enigma machine?

The British capture of a string of German vessels – and their Enigma machines and codebooks – during the first seven months of 1941 changed all that. Using the items seized, Alan Turing and his fellow codebreakers were at long last able to work out how to read Germany’s naval Enigma messages.

Was a real submarine used in U-571?

First, the real submarine U-571 was never captured, though it was sunk by an Australian plane off Ireland in 1944. Second, by 1942, allied intelligence already had several Enigma machines. The first capture took place in February 1940, when the U-33 was taken by HMS Gleaner off the coast of Scotland.

What does Das Boot in German mean?

The Boat
Technically, “Das Boot” translates to “The Boat,” not “The Boot.” It probably didn’t start with the Germans, either. Long before before the bierstiefel (the boot-shaped German glass) and “Beerfest,” there were English hunters chugging out of boots.

Why do submariners eat lemons?

His reported experiment on board a naval ship in 1747 showed that oranges and lemons were a cure for scurvy. Frequent outbreaks of disease tormented crews and various cures were championed.

What was the name of the German U-31 submarine?

German submarine U-31 was a Type VIIA U-boat of Nazi Germany’s Kriegsmarine during World War II. She was laid down on 1 March 1936 as yard number 912, launched on 25 September and commissioned on 28 December 1936.

What does U-31 stand for?

German submarine U-31 was a Type VIIA U-boat of Nazi Germany ‘s Kriegsmarine during World War II. She was laid down on 1 March 1936 as yard number 912, launched on 25 September and commissioned on 28 December 1936.

Where was the U-31 bomber built?

U-31 was built by TKMS, with construction taking place at the shipyards of Thyssen Nordseewerke of Emden and Howaldtswerke at Kiel. Launched on 20 March 2002, U-31 was commissioned alongside her sister ship U-32 by German Minister of Defence Peter Struck in Eckernförde on 19 October 2005.

What happened to the U-31?

U-31 evaded a spread of four torpedoes fired by HMS Trident about 15 miles (24 km) south of Lorient and was then forced to dive when fired on by her deck gun. Trident followed up with some explosive charges, but without result. This was the third time that U-31 had been attacked by an enemy submarine on this patrol.