Deathcard of U-Boot Crewmember – U-Boot “U-215” (Sunk East of Boston, US!)

Original WWII death card (Sterbebild) for Ferdinand Popijal, a crew member of German submarine U-215.

Service & Fate:
Ferdinand Popijal served aboard U-215, a Type VIID minelaying U-boat of the Kriegsmarine. On 3 July 1942, during its first patrol, U-215 was sunk in the North Atlantic east of Boston at position 41.48N, 66.38W. The submarine was destroyed by depth charges from the British anti-submarine trawler HMS Le Tiger, while attempting to lay mines off Halifax. All 48 crew members perished — no survivors.

Item Details:

• Original wartime Sterbebild (death card) for Ferdinand Popijal.

• A poignant memorial to a fallen sailor of U-215.

• Condition: As seen, with age-related wear.

Historical Context – U-215:

• Type: Type VIID minelaying U-boat, one of only six built.

• Commissioned: 1941 under Kapitänleutnant Fritz Hoevelmann.

• Patrols: Only one war patrol.

• Final Mission: Attempted to lay mines in Canadian waters; sunk before completing its operation.

• Legacy: Its wreck was located in 2004 off Nova Scotia, designated a war grave.

Collector’s Note:
Death cards from the rare Type VIID minelaying U-boats are scarce, as these submarines were few in number and most were lost with all hands. The card of Ferdinand Popijal thus offers not only a personal link to the fallen crew but also to a very rare class of U-boat, making it a highly desirable piece for collectors of Kriegsmarine and Battle of the Atlantic memorabilia.