I am very skeptical that these are ammo boxes for "small arms - pistols, rifles, submachine guns." Now it would be logical to have 'ready service ammo' in water-pressure tight boxes next to and for 50 caliber or larger fixed guns, so they can be brought into surface actions very quickly. But no U boat would surface to engage in action with small arms. And they would be brought out loaded with magazines for rapid action, and spare magazines in pouches. Is there an authoritative German source for this?
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