Type VII Attack Scope lighting question

[warpatroller]

When looking through the Attack Periscope on a Type VII or IX, the commander could see bearing degree marks overlayed on the scope image. These marks can be seen in the scope view scene in the movie Das Boot. In the movie the marks are shown in BLACK. It seems this would be fine for daylight attacks, but what about at night.. For night attacks, was there some kind of RED light inside the scope that would illuminate the degree marks in RED? It would seem that black marks would be difficult to see against the dark horizon at night.

Can anyone verify that WWII Uboats had an illumination of some sort, maybe via red lighting to illuminate the degree mark overlay inside of the periscope?

[warpatroller]

I assume no one knows

I assume no one knows anything about this. Thought maybe some one on this site might.. How about you Jeff?

[JWLaRue]

I cannot recall having read

I cannot recall having read anything about there being some sort of internal 'scope illumination. Lot's of information on how to use the various controls for them, but nothing about lighting.

I'll do a couple of quick scans of several of my books and see if anything stand out.

-Jeff

[warpatroller]

Thanks Jeff. If you happen

Thanks Jeff. If you happen to find anything let me know. I recently completed some CGI scenes for an independent movie that features a Type VIIC. Had to create two night attack scope shots. The environment was dark enough that black bearing marks were not visible, so I ended up making them dimly illuminated in red. Would have liked to know if this was accurate or not, but oh well, the shots are already finished.

[wlambing]

Gents,

I know that the

Gents,

I know that the US 'scopes have red night illumination of the recticle and stadia lines. The Type II 'scope has been our standard attack 'scope since early WWII days, if not before then. Variable itesity controlled by a rheostat knob on the base of the scope, below the handles and above the bearing circle. I suspect that your use of red in your CGI is correct. If I remember correctly, the Kreigsmarine lit the Control room with dim red at night also, as has been our practice since the dawn of time.

Take care,
Bill

[warpatroller]

Thanks for the response Bill.

Thanks for the response Bill. Your right, they did use red lighting inside the control room on U-Boats. I just wasn't sure about inside the scopes. Based on your information on US submarines dating back to WWII, I am sure the Germans would have also had a similar setup on their scopes. Black markings against a dark horizon would have been completely impractical and difficult to read. It is just one of those details that only submariner vets would likely know about.

Steve