Here’s tonight’s movie:

IMDB mean rating: [7.8/10]

IMDB median rating: [8/10]

Description:

The Enemy Below is a study of submarine warfare from the vantage point of both sides. Robert Mitchum plays the captain of an American destroyer, who despite having lost his family in the war endeavors to let his head rule his heart in combat. Curt Jurgens co-stars as a German U-boat commander, depicted as being as honorable and compassionate as Mitchum. The two men develop a grudging mutual respect as they pursue one another throughout the North Atlantic. Based on a novel by D. A. Rayner.

This is my favorite World War 2 submarine movie. It shows both sides, and the plot is plausible and realistic. Normally, a single destroyer would be at a disadvantage pursing a lone submarine. But this submarine is committed to a single course and keeps coming back to it, and the destroyer has a faster surface speed and better surface armament, which means it can outrun the sub if it knows (or can guess) where the sub is going.

This movie is based on a true story battle between the USS Buckley (Buckley class escort destroyer) and the U-66 (Type IXC U-boat). The Buckley class destroyer escort is designed to conduct anti-submarine warfare in teams, and is definitely the underdog in this one-on-one fight.

I really recommend this movie! Great actors, very realistic, lots of action.

DE Buckley class destroyer escort

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Length: “Long hull” 306′ 0″ x 300′ 0″
• Displacement: 1,400 long tons standard; 1,740 full load.
• Crew: Officers, 15; Enlisted, 198.
• Speed: 23.5 knots.
• Screws: Two.
• Rudders: Two.
• Stack: One.

ARMAMENT

• Gun battery: 3 x 3-inch/50 caliber dual purpose guns.
• Initial: 1 x twin 40mm Bofors.
• Later: 3 x twin 40mm Bofors.
• Short range: 9 x single 20mm Oerlikon.
• Anti-submarine battery: 2 x depth charge tracks, 8 x depth charge projectors, 1 x Hedgehog.

SS Type IXC U-Boat

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Displacement: (tons) 1120 (surface) 1232 (submerged)
• Length: (m) 76,76 oa 58,75 ph
• Power: (hp) 4400 (surface) 1000 (submerged)
• Speed: (knots) 18,3 (surface) 7,3 (submerged)
• Range: (miles / knots) 13450/10 (surface) 63/4 (submerged)
• Crew: 48-56 men
• Max depth: ca. 230 m (755 feet)

ARMAMENT

• Torpedoes: 22 4/2 (bow / stern tubes)
• Mines: 44 TMA

Happy Friday!