Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Günther Krech. Käpitanleutnant Günther Krech (21.09.1914 in Wilhelmshaven † 03.06.2000 in Wuppertal) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on September 17, 1942 as Kapitänleutnant und Kommandant of Uboot “U-558”.
Provenance: This signature comes from one of the largest postwar signature collection I’ve ever commissioned. This collection was started by a Waffen-SS Veteran, Werner H., in the 1950’s until he passed away.
Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Herbert Emil Schultze. Korvettenkäpitan Herbert Schultze (24.07.1909 in Kiel † 03.06.1987 in London, England) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on March 1, 1940 as Kapitänleutnant und Kommandant of Uboot “U-48” and the Eichenlaub on June 12, 1941 as Kapitänleutnant und Kommandant of Uboot “U-48”. He also earned the U-boot-Kriegsabzeichen mit Brillianten.
Provenance: This signature comes from one of the largest postwar signature collection I’ve ever commissioned. This collection was started by a Waffen-SS Veteran, Werner H., in the 1950’s until he passed away.
Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Karl-Friedrich Merten. Kapitän zur See Karl-Friedrich Merten (15.08.1905 in Posen † 02.05.1993 in Waldshut-Tiengen) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on June 13, 1942 as Korvettenkapitän und Kommandant of U-boot “U-68” and the Eichenlaub on November 16, 1942 as Korvettenkapitän und Kommandant of U-boot “U-68” of the 2. Unterseebootflottille.
Knight’s Cross: Awarded for his successes during the first three patrols with U-68, during which Merten and his crew sank 11 ships with 63047 GRT. In addition they also distinguished themselves during the rescue of the crews belonging to the German blockade runner “Python” and the auxiliary cruiser “Atlantis” in November/December 1941. Oakleaves: Awarded for further successes spanning two patrols with U-68. In these two patrols alone 16 enemy vessels with 107128 GRT were sunk.
Provenance: This signature comes from one of the largest postwar signature collection I’ve ever commissioned. This collection was started by a Waffen-SS Veteran, Werner H., in the 1950’s until he passed away.
Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Claus Korth. Korvettenkäpitanleutnant Claus Korth (07.11.1911 in Berlin † 25.01.1988 in Kiel) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on May 29, 1941 as Kapitänleutnant und Kommandantof Uboot “U-93”.
Provenance: This signature comes from one of the largest postwar signature collection I’ve ever commissioned. This collection was started by a Waffen-SS Veteran, Werner H., in the 1950’s until he passed away.
Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Peter-Erich "Ali" Cremer. Korvettenkapitän Peter-Erich Cremer (25.03.1911 † 05.07.1992) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzeson June 5, 1942 as Kapitänleutnant und Kommandant of U-333 and the Eichenlaub on December 31, 1944 as Kapitänleutnant und Kommandant of U-96.
Awarded for sinking 6 ships (with 26873 GRT) and damaging 1 other ship (with 8327 GRT) as commander of U-333. Cremer was also recognized for his skills as a U-Boat captain. He was twice able to successfully complete his patrols after his U-Boat had been heavily damaged, even continuing to sink allied ships thereafter. (Read more on Peter-Erich Cremer (Wikipedia)).
Provenance: This signature comes from one of the largest postwar signature collection I’ve ever commissioned. This collection was started by a Waffen-SS Veteran, Werner H., in the 1950’s until he passed away.
Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Johann Limbach. Oberleutnant zur See Johann Limbach (09.12.1912 in Krefeld-Uerdingen † 06.03.1993 in Düsseldorf) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on February 6, 1945 as Oberleutnant zur See und 1. Wachtoffizier of Uboot “U-181”.
Provenance: This signature comes from one of the largest postwar signature collection I’ve ever commissioned. This collection was started by a Waffen-SS Veteran, Werner H., in the 1950’s until he passed away.
Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Adalbert Schnee. Korvettenkäpitan Adalbert Schnee (31.12.1913 in Berlin † 04.11.1982 in Hamburg) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on August 30, 1941 as Oberleutnant zur See und Kommandant of Uboot “U-201” and the Eichenlaub on July 15, 1942 as Kapitänleutnant und Kommandant of Uboot “U-201”.
Provenance: This signature comes from one of the largest postwar signature collection I’ve ever commissioned. This collection was started by a Waffen-SS Veteran, Werner H., in the 1950’s until he passed away.
Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Otto Ites. Käpitanleutnant Otto Ites (05.02.1918 in Norden † 02.02.1982 in Norden) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on March 28, 1942 as Oberleutnant zur See und Kommandant of Uboot “U-94”.
Provenance: This signature comes from one of the largest postwar signature collection I’ve ever commissioned. This collection was started by a Waffen-SS Veteran, Werner H., in the 1950’s until he passed away.
Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Adalbert Schnee. Korvettenkäpitan Adalbert Schnee (31.12.1913 in Berlin † 04.11.1982 in Hamburg) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on August 30, 1941 as Oberleutnant zur See und Kommandant of Uboot “U-201” and the Eichenlaub on July 15, 1942 as Kapitänleutnant und Kommandant of Uboot “U-201”.
Provenance: This signature comes from one of the largest postwar signature collection I’ve ever commissioned. This collection was started by a Waffen-SS Veteran, Werner H., in the 1950’s until he passed away.
Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Robert Gysae. Korvettenkäpitan Robert Gysae (04.01.1911 in Berlin-Charlottenburg † 28.04.1989 in Wilhelmshafen) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on December 31, 1941 as Kapitänleutnant und Kommandant of Uboot “U-98” and the Eichenlaub on May 31, 1943 as Kapitänleutnant und Kommandant of Uboot “U-177”.
Provenance: This signature comes from one of the largest postwar signature collection I’ve ever commissioned. This collection was started by a Waffen-SS Veteran, Werner H., in the 1950’s until he passed away.
Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Carl Emmermann. Kapitänleutnant Carl Emmermann (06.03.1915 † 25.03.1990) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on November 27, 1942 as Kapitänleutnant und Kommandant of U-172.
Awarded the Knight’s Cross for the sinking of 17 ships with a total of 95429 GRT. This total included the US passenger freighter “Santa Rita”, and as the ship was being blown up Emmermann and his crew were able to capture a map showing the locations of the mine barriers guarding Cape Town. Another notable success amongst this total was the British troop transport “Orcades” (23456 GRT), which was sunk on the 10.10.1942.
Provenance: This signature comes from one of the largest postwar signature collection I’ve ever commissioned. This collection was started by a Waffen-SS Veteran, Werner H., in the 1950’s until he passed away.
Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo plus Letter of Otto Schuhart. Korvettenkapitän Otto Schuhart (01.04.1909 † 10.03.1990) earned the Ritterkreuz on May 16, 1940 as Kapitänleutnant und Kommandant of U-29.
Awarded for the sinking of 8 ships (with 56916 GRT) in just three patrols, including the British aircraft carrier HMS Courageous.
Provenance: This signature comes from one of the largest postwar signature collection I’ve ever commissioned. This collection was started by a Waffen-SS Veteran, Werner H., in the 1950’s until he passed away.
Original Scarce Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Philipp Lichtenberg. Kapitänleutnant Philipp Lichtenberg (09.09.1908 † 14.12.1993) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzeson March 31, 1945 as Kapitänleutnant und Leitender Ingenieur of U-516. Condition as seen. NOTE: The inkt is all blue however my scanner turns much of the inkt into black!
“Lichtenberg was on one occasion able to restore his heavily-damaged U-Boat to a state where it was once again capable of diving after exerting himself to the fullest.” (Read more on Philipp Lichtenberg (Uboat.net)).
Provenance: This signature comes from one of the largest postwar signature collection I’ve ever commissioned. This collection was started by a Waffen-SS Veteran, Werner H., in the 1950’s until he passed away.
Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Wilhelm Dommes. Kapitänleutnant Wilhelm Dommes (16.04.1907 † 23.01.1990) earned the Ritterkreuz on December 2, 1942 as Kapitänleutnant und Kommandant of U-431. Good Condition.
Awarded for sinking 5 ships (with 11275 GRT), including 2 destroyers, as well as damaging a further 2 ships (with 4010 GRT). He was also recognized for his achievements as a Watch Officer aboard the Scharnhorst from January 1939 to April 1940.
Provenance: This signature comes from one of the largest postwar signature collection I’ve ever commissioned. This collection was started by a Waffen-SS Veteran, Werner H., in the 1950’s until he passed away.
Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Rudolf Mühlbauer. Oberbootsmannmann Rudolf Mühlbauer (23.03.1919 † 26.03.2000) earned the Ritterkreuz on December 10, 1944 as Oberbootsmannmaat und Brückenmaat of U-123. Good Condition.
“He fulfilled his duties on the bridge in an especially exemplary manner. In his capacity as a lookout he twice prevented the destruction of his U-Boat. Over the course of his last two patrols he spent 231 days at sea. As a result of his wealth of experience with U-Boats he was of great help to his commanders, and in all situations proved himself by his devotion to duty, fighting spirit and bravery.”
Provenance: This signature comes from one of the largest postwar signature collection I’ve ever commissioned. This collection was started by a Waffen-SS Veteran, Werner H., in the 1950’s until he passed away.
Original Wartime Signature on a Postcard of Wolfgang Lüth. Käpitan zur See Wolfgang Lüth (15.10.1913 † 12.05.1945) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on October 24, 1940 as Oberleutnant zur See und Kommandant of U-138, the Eichenlaub on November 13, 1942 as Kapitänleutnant und Kommandant of U-181, the Schwertern on April 15, 1943 as Kapitänleutnant und Kommandant of U-181 and the Brillanten on August 9, 1943 as Korvettenkapitän und Kommandant of U-181. Good condition. Edges have been cut.
Lüth's last service position was commander of the Naval Academy Mürwik near Flensburg. He was accidentally shot and killed by a German sentry after the end of the war on the night of 13/14 May 1945. On 16 May 1945, Lüth was given a state funeral by the Flensburg Government. (Read more on Wolfgang Lüth (Wikipedia))
Provenance: This signature comes from one of the largest postwar signature collection I've ever commissioned. This collection was started by a Waffen-SS Veteran, Werner H., in the 1950's until he passed away.
Most interesting Wehrpass for a U-Boot Obermechanikermaat Werner Dannewitz, who served on various U-Boots including "U-652" (was on board when they sunk 3 ships and survived its sinking!) and "U-529". Sadly, he met his fate on U-529 when it was sunk with all hands on board. He earned 5 awards throughout his service (!): the Memelmedaille, Sudetenmedaille, Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse, Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse and the U-Bootkriegsabzeichen! He was also on board "U-17" in 1939 when it sank a ship.
Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Hans-Günther Lange. Oberleutnant zur See Hans-Günther Lange (28.09.1916 † 03.04.2014) earned the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold on May 11, 1944, the Ritterkreuz on August 26, 1944 as Kapitänleutnant zur See und Kommandant of U-Boot “U-711” and the Eichenlaub on April 29, 1945 as Kapitänleutnant zur See und Kommandant of U-Boot “U-711”. Good condition. Measuring: 12,5×17,5cm.
Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Otto Westphalen. Oberleutnant zur See Otto Westphalen (12.03.1920 † 08.01.2008) earned the Ritterkreuz on March 23, 1945 as Oberleutnant zur See und Kommandant of U-Boot “U-968”. Good condition. Measuring: 10×15cm.
Origian Film Foto Verlag Postcard (Nr. R163) of Knight’s Cross with Oakleaves and Swords Holder Otto Kretschmer, who earned the Ritterkreuz on August 4, 1940 as Kapitänleutnant and Kapitän of U-99, the Eichenlaub on November 4, 1940 as Kapitänleutnant and Kapitän of U-99and the Schwertern on December 26, 1941 as Korvettenkapitän and Kapitän of U-99. Good condition. Postcardsize.
35x Photographs of Uboot "U-95", which was under the command of Korvettenkapitän Gerd Schreiber (Survived, taken POW. Earned the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold). Most interestingly, U-95 was sunk by a Dutch Submarine, on 28 November 1941 in the Mediterranean Sea south-west of Almeria, by a torpedo from the Dutch submarine HrMs O 21. 35 dead and 12 survivors. Many of the photographs show its crew (many of them perished) (Arno-Georg Grewin (KIA), Egon Rudolph (Survived), Carsten Pahl (Survived), Herbert Gerbert (KIA)), Feindfahrt, symbol etc. Good condition. Different sizes (incl. small sizes 6x4cm, 6x6cm, 6x9cm).
15x Photographs of Uboot "U-221" or "U-229" (due the flag with 10.3.43 and 5000 assuming it sank a ship approx. this tonnage on this date, both qualify). Good condition. Album residue on the back. Various sizes.
Original Wartime Signature on a Hoffmann Postcard of Heinrich Bleichrodt. Korvettenkäpitan Heinrich Bleichrodt (21.10.1909 † 09.01.1977) earned the Ritterkreuz on October 24, 1940 as Kapitänleutnant und Kapitän of Uboot "U-48" and the Eichenlaubon September 23, 1942 as Kapitänleutnant und Kapitän of Uboot "U-109". Creditted with sinking 25 ships. Good condition.
Original Scarce Wartime Signature on a Hoffmann Postcard of Klaus Scholtz. Fregattenkäpitan Klaus Scholtz (22.03.1908 † 01.05.1987) earned the Ritterkreuz on December 26, 1941 as Korvettenkapitän und Kapitän of Uboot "U-108" and the Eichenlaubon September 10, 1942 as Korvettenkapitän und Kapitän of Uboot "U-108". Good condition.
Scholtz joined the Reichsmarine in 1927 as member of “Crew 1927” (the incoming class of 1927) and served in torpedo boats, before transferring to the U-boat arm (U-bootwaffe) in April 1940. From October 1940 he commanded U-108, sinking 25 ships on 8 patrols, for a total of 128,190 tons of Allied shipping, including the British armed merchant cruiser Rajputana. In October 1942 Scholtz formed and took command of 12th U-boat Flotilla based at Bordeaux, France.
In August 1944 the approach of Allied troops meant that the base had to be evacuated. The last U-boats escaped by sea, and Scholtz attempted to lead the remaining men (about 220) back to Germany on foot. They left Bordeaux on 26 August, but were captured on 11 September by American forces in Loire. Scholtz spent the next 18 months in US captivity. (Source: Wikipedia)
Small set of a Wartime Hoffmann Postcard with wartime signature of Klaus Scholtz as well as a wartime photograph of him (not wearing the Knight's Cross). Scholtz joined the Reichsmarine in 1927 as member of "Crew 1927" (the incoming class of 1927) and served in torpedo boats, before transferring to the U-boat arm (U-bootwaffe) in April 1940. From October 1940 he commanded U-108, sinking 25 ships on 8 patrols, for a total of 128,190 tons of Allied shipping, including the British armed merchant cruiser Rajputana. In October 1942 Scholtz formed and took command of 12th U-boat Flotilla based at Bordeaux, France.
In August 1944 the approach of Allied troops meant that the base had to be evacuated. The last U-boats escaped by sea, and Scholtz attempted to lead the remaining men (about 220) back to Germany on foot. They left Bordeaux on 26 August, but were captured on 11 September by American forces in Loire. Scholtz spent the next 18 months in US captivity. (Source: Wikipedia)
