Screen portrayals rarely convey the physical discomfort of submarine service. In some boats, submerged toilet arrangements were troublesome enough that crews used open buckets until they could dispose of the waste after surfacing. Returning U-boats could contain fumes strong enough to overwhelm dockworkers entering the hull, so crews needed procedures to clear the air. Habitability and ventilation were operating conditions that submariners had to manage while keeping an airtight vessel functioning.
Notable Point · 39:49-41:08
Submarine habitability beyond the screen
A call for more realistic naval drama turns to the sanitation, foul air, and confined living conditions that submarine films often omit.