Unlike American submarines, U-boats were designed with little concern for the comfort of their crews. The subs were first and foremost weapons platforms with one goal: delivering their torpedoes to Allied targets as efficiently as possible. To maximize the number of torpedoes a U-boat could hold, and to ensure they were easy to access and load, crew space was kept to an absolute minimum — making conditions extremely cramped and uncomfortable for the crew. 

Up to 59 sailors packed into U-505 for patrols that lasted 100 days or more. Inside the overcrowded sub, daily life for many sailors was filled with laborious and monotonous chores. The long, dreary days spent waiting for orders or signs of the enemy were broken up only by terrifying moments of being in battle. Ironically, the shared hardships on board a U-boat often led to strong bonds among crew members, making for high morale during the war.