Deathcard of U-Boot Crewmember – U-Boot “U-609” (Sunk by a Free French corvette)

Original WWII death card (Sterbebild) for Willibald Engelbrecht, a crew member of the German submarine U-609.

Service & Fate:
Engelbrecht served aboard U-609, a Type VIIC U-boat of the Kriegsmarine. On 6 February 1943, at 2204 hours, U-609 was sunk in the North Atlantic south-east of Cape Farwell, Greenland, at position 54.56N, 28.11W. The submarine was destroyed by depth charges from the Free French corvette Lobelia. All 47 crew members perished, with no survivors.

Item Details:

• Original WWII Sterbebild memorial card.

• Commemorates a submariner lost with his entire crew during the height of the Battle of the Atlantic.

• Condition: As seen, with natural signs of age.

Historical Context – U-609:

• Type: Type VIIC U-boat, the most numerous and iconic U-boat class.

• Loss: The destruction of U-609 is notable as part of the Allied anti-submarine campaign, where even Free French naval forces played a decisive role in closing the Atlantic shipping lanes to German raiders.

• Crew: 47 men lost, a stark reminder of the heavy toll faced by U-boat crews.

Collector’s Note:
This death card of Willibald Engelbrecht is a tangible piece of Kriegsmarine and U-boat history, tied directly to the dramatic naval struggle of the North Atlantic. Losses to Free French forces are comparatively rare, making this a particularly interesting addition for collectors of submarine and naval memorabilia.