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Original WWII death card (Sterbebild) for Sepp Grundl, a crew member of the German submarine U-226.

Service & Fate:
Grundl served aboard U-226, a Type VIIC U-boat of the Kriegsmarine. On 6 November 1943, the submarine was sunk in the North Atlantic east of Newfoundland, at position 44.49N, 41.13W, by depth charges from the British sloops HMS Starling, HMS Woodcock, and HMS Kite. The entire crew of 51 men perished — all hands lost.

Item Details:

• Original wartime Sterbebild memorial card.

• Dedicated to a fallen U-boat sailor.

• Condition: As seen, with period patina and light age wear.

Historical Context – U-226:

• Type: Type VIIC U-boat, the most common German submarine class of WWII.

• Operations: Conducted Atlantic patrols during the height of the Battle of the Atlantic.

• Loss: Destroyed in November 1943 during heavy Allied anti-submarine operations by escort groups.

• Significance: U-226’s destruction underlines the increasing effectiveness of Allied convoy escorts and hunter-killer groups from 1943 onward.

Collector’s Note:
Death cards from U-boat crewmen are highly collectible, especially when tied to boats where all hands were lost. This example for Sepp Grundl of U-226 offers a personal and poignant remembrance of the immense risks faced by U-boat sailors during the later, deadly phase of the Battle of the Atlantic.

Original WII death card (Sterbebild) for Rudolf Braun, a crew member of the German submarine U-74.

Service & Fate:
Rudolf Braun served aboard U-74, a Type VIIB U-boat of the Kriegsmarine. On 2 May 1942, the submarine was sunk in the Mediterranean east-southeast of Cartagena, Spain, at position 37.12N, 00.01E, by depth charges from the British destroyers HMS Wishart and HMS Wrestler. The entire crew of 47 men perished — no survivors.

Item Details:

• Original wartime Sterbebild memorial card.

• Commemorates the ultimate sacrifice of a U-boat crewman.

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

Historical Context – U-74:

• Type: Type VIIB U-boat, an early but effective design.

• Operations: Served in the Atlantic and later the Mediterranean, supporting Axis naval operations.

• Loss: Destroyed in May 1942 during the intensified Allied anti-submarine campaign in the Mediterranean.

• Significance: U-74’s sinking highlighted the increasing dangers U-boats faced in contested waters, particularly from coordinated destroyer patrols.

Collector’s Note:
Death cards from U-boat crews represent both personal remembrance and a stark reminder of the heavy toll of the Battle of the Atlantic and Mediterranean. With all hands lost, this piece offers a direct and human connection to the men who served — and died — in the Kriegsmarine’s submarine arm.

Original WWII death card (Sterbebild) for Karl Huf, a crew member of the German submarine U-384.

Service & Fate:
Karl Huf served aboard U-384, a Type VIIC U-boat of the Kriegsmarine. On 19 March 1943, at 1745 hrs, the submarine was sunk in the North Atlantic west of Ireland, at position 54.18N, 26.15W. The sinking was caused by depth charges dropped by a British Fortress aircraft (206 Sqn RAF/B). All 47 crew members were lost — no survivors.

Item Details:

• Original wartime Sterbebild commemorating Karl Huf.

• A poignant relic tied to the Battle of the Atlantic.

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

Historical Context – U-384:

• Type: Type VIIC, the workhorse of the German U-Bootwaffe.

• Patrols: Conducted only two patrols.

• Loss: Destroyed during the height of the 1943 “air gap” battles, when Allied aircraft extended their coverage deep into the Atlantic.

• Legacy: The destruction of U-384 illustrates the increasing vulnerability of German U-boats during the critical turning point of the Battle of the Atlantic.

Collector’s Note:
This death card serves as both a personal memorial and a tangible link to the brutal campaign waged beneath the Atlantic waves. Pieces connected to U-boat crews lost with all hands are particularly valued, reflecting the tragic sacrifices of the U-Bootwaffe.

Original WWII death card (Sterbebild) for Hans Hobelsberger, a crew member of German submarine U-460.

Service & Fate:
Hans Hobelsberger served aboard U-460, a Type XIV “Milchkuh” supply submarine of the Kriegsmarine. On 4 October 1943, while operating in the North Atlantic north of the Azores, the U-boat was attacked by aircraft from the American escort carrier USS Card (CVE-11). Depth charges dropped by Avenger and Wildcat aircraft of VC-9 Squadron sank the submarine at position 43.18N, 28.58W. Out of the crew, 62 men perished and only 2 survived.

Item Details:

• Original wartime Sterbebild (death card) commemorating Hans Hobelsberger.

• A solemn remembrance of his service aboard U-460.

• Condition: As seen, with period patina and wear.

Historical Context – U-460:

• Type: Type XIV supply submarine (“Milchkuh”).

• Commissioned: 1941 under Korvettenkapitän Friedrich Schäfer.

• Role: Served as a critical mid-Atlantic tanker and supply boat, refueling combat U-boats far from base.

• Loss: Destroyed in October 1943 during intensified Allied anti-submarine operations — part of the turning tide in the Battle of the Atlantic.

Collector’s Note:
Death cards related to supply U-boats (Milchkühe) are exceptionally rare, as these submarines were few in number and most were lost in 1943–44. The card of Hans Hobelsberger represents not only the human cost of submarine warfare but also the vital role of the “Milchkühe” in sustaining U-boat operations across the Atlantic. A scarce and highly desirable item for collectors of U-boat history and Battle of the Atlantic memorabilia.

Original WWII death card (Sterbebild) for Xaver Ehrensperger, a crew member of German submarine U-189.

Service & Fate:
Xaver Ehrensperger served aboard U-189, a Type IXC/40 U-boat of the Kriegsmarine. On 23 April 1943, U-189 was sunk in the North Atlantic east of Cape Farewell, Greenland, at position 59.50N, 34.43W. The submarine was destroyed by depth charges dropped from a British Consolidated B-24 Liberator of No. 120 Squadron RAF (pilot: F/O D.E. Curtis).

The sinking resulted in the loss of all 54 crew members, including Ehrensperger — no survivors.

Item Details:

• Original wartime Sterbebild (death card) of Xaver Ehrensperger.

• Commemorates his sacrifice while serving on U-189.

• Condition: As seen; light handling wear consistent with age.

Historical Context – U-189:

• Type: Type IXC/40 ocean-going U-boat.

• Commissioned: 1942 under Kapitänleutnant Hellmut Kallmann.

• Operations: Operated in the North Atlantic against Allied convoys.

• Loss: Destroyed on her first patrol in April 1943, with the total loss of crew.

Collector’s Note:
Death cards linked to U-boat crews lost with all hands are highly sought after, as they represent both personal remembrance and the broader tragedy of the Battle of the Atlantic. This example for Xaver Ehrensperger of U-189 is a poignant reminder of the extreme dangers faced by German submariners, who suffered some of the highest casualty rates of any service in WWII.

Original WWII death card (Sterbebild) for Martin Braun, a crew member of German submarine U-578.

Service & Fate:
Martin Braun served aboard U-578, a Type VIIC U-boat of the Kriegsmarine. On 6 August 1942, the submarine was reported missing in the Bay of Biscay. No explanation for her loss has ever been determined. The disappearance resulted in the loss of all 49 crew members, including Braun — no survivors.

Item Details:

• Original wartime Sterbebild (death card) of U-boat crew member Martin Braun.

• Commemorates his sacrifice while serving aboard U-578.

• Condition: As seen; shows age and wear consistent with period.

Historical Context – U-578:

• Type: Type VIIC Atlantic-class submarine.

• Commissioned: 1941 under Kapitänleutnant Ernst-August Rehwinkel.

• Operational History: Took part in Atlantic convoy battles, credited with sinking several Allied vessels.

• Loss: Disappeared without trace in August 1942 in the Bay of Biscay; circumstances remain unknown.

Collector’s Note:
Death cards linked to U-boats lost with all hands are highly sought after, as they reflect both personal remembrance and the perilous nature of the Battle of the Atlantic, where over 70% of U-boat crews never returned. This example for Martin Braun of U-578 offers a poignant and rare memorial connection to one of the Kriegsmarine’s many missing submarines.