Wentzel Ahbe

Ahbe is an experienced professional sailor who increasingly distinguishes service to his country from loyalty to Nazi ideology. By 1945 he recognizes that Germany is losing the war and displays little enthusiasm for the political cause represented by the SS passenger aboard his submarine.

He is sociable with Masuda and develops a friendly relationship with him during the long voyage. The crew's interactions with their Japanese passenger, including games of shogi, contrast with Spielberger's isolation.

Ahbe remains devoted to his crew. When U-1324 is trapped and catastrophically damaged, his concern centers on the men who have served under him and the consequences of decisions made by political leaders far from the submarine.

Ahbe is a decorated and experienced U-boat commander who has survived repeated engagements during the Battle of the Atlantic. His position requires expertise in navigation, submarine warfare, torpedo attacks and the coordination of a crew under extreme pressure.

He demonstrates tactical judgment during U-1324's final mission, including attempts to evade American anti-submarine forces through silent running. His experience allows the submarine to travel an enormous distance from Germany toward Japanese-held territory before its interception.

His leadership also earns the loyalty of his crew. Even during the submarine's final crisis, they continue following his commands under conditions in which escape has become increasingly unlikely.

Ahbe appears in the anime's account of U-1324, the submarine whose wreck becomes the Lagoon Company's salvage target decades later. His mission begins in Kiel with orders to transport Masuda toward Japanese-held Batavia.

Spielberger boards with the painting later sought by both the Lagoon Company and neo-Nazis. The voyage therefore carries two very different passengers: a Japanese officer who socializes with the crew and an SS officer concerned primarily with his secret cargo.

U-1324 is detected near the end of its voyage and crippled by American depth charges, driving the submarine into the seabed. During the final crisis, Ahbe openly condemns the Nazi leadership and the war that has doomed his men. Spielberger responds by shooting him, and Ahbe dies aboard his submarine.

Masuda travels aboard U-1324 as Ahbe's principal passenger. Wentzel Ahbe develops a friendly relationship with Masuda, who socializes with the crew and teaches them shogi during the voyage.

Spielberger is the SS officer who joins the mission with a secret painting. Wentzel Ahbe has little sympathy for Spielberger's ideological priorities, and Spielberger ultimately shoots Ahbe after the captain condemns Nazi leadership during U-1324's final hours.