Character Relationship Map: Das Boot

Characters

• Der Alte (played by Jürgen Prochnow) — protagonist
• Leutnant Werner (played by Herbert Grönemeyer) — protagonist
• Leitender Ingenieur (played by Klaus Wennemann) — supporting
• Erster Wachoffizier (played by Hubertus Bengsch) — supporting
• Zweiter Wachoffizier (played by Martin Semmelrogge) — supporting
• Obersteuermann (played by Bernd Tauber) — supporting
• Obermaschinist Johann (played by Erwin Leder) — supporting
• Fähnrich Ullmann (played by Martin May) — supporting
• Bootsmann Lamprecht (played by Uwe Ochsenknecht) — supporting
• Dieselheizer Ario (played by Claude-Oliver Rudolph) — minor

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Der Alte → Dieselheizer Ario (Professional Commander And Subordinate) — Captain and stoker relationship
• Der Alte → Bootsmann Lamprecht (Professional Commander And Subordinate) — Captain and boatswain relationship
• Der Alte → Fähnrich Ullmann (Professional Commander And Subordinate) — Captain and midshipman relationship
• Der Alte → Obermaschinist Johann (Professional Commander And Subordinate) — Captain and chief machinist relationship
• Der Alte → Obersteuermann (Professional Commander And Subordinate) — Captain and helmsman relationship
• Der Alte → Zweiter Wachoffizier (Professional Commander And Subordinate) — Captain and second watch officer relationship
• Der Alte → Erster Wachoffizier (Professional Commander And Second In Command) — Captain and first watch officer relationship
• Der Alte → Leitender Ingenieur (Professional Commander And Subordinate) — Captain and chief engineer relationship
• Der Alte → Leutnant Werner (Professional Commander And Subordinate) — Captain and war correspondent relationship

Story Analysis

The season follows a submarine crew from departure through repeated attacks, a hazardous Mediterranean passage, and a life-threatening entrapment. Its central progression moves from concealed fear to collective survival under extreme pressure.

Plot Progression

1. Departure and Hidden Fear — The crew celebrates its final day ashore before leaving La Rochelle. The apparent festive mood conceals fear of the coming patrol.
2. First Contact and Attack — Monotony aboard the submarine turns into tension when a convoy message arrives. A periscope attack unexpectedly leads to a destroyer hunt and depth-charge assault.
3. Convoy Victory and Pursuit — The submarine sinks three cargo ships during a convoy encounter. The apparent success is followed by a prolonged pursuit by two destroyers.
4. Mediterranean Passage — The mission shifts toward the Mediterranean, with a supply stop in Vigo before the journey to Gibraltar. Aviation and naval threats make the passage increasingly dangerous.
5. Trapped Below and Escape — An emergency dive sends the damaged submarine to the ocean floor at 280 meters. Repairs eventually allow it to break free and emerge.