Where was the " U-96 " based in real life in late 1941 ?
He joined the " Reichsmarine " of the Weimar Republic in April 1931 as a member " Crew 1931 " ( the incoming class of 1931 ) , with the rank of " Seekadett " , serving on a light cruiser and a sailing school ship before he transferred to the " U - Boatwaffe " in April 1939 , five months before World War II began .