Deathcard of U-Boot Crewmember – U-Boot “U-222” (Collided with “U-626”)

Original WWII death card (Sterbebild) commemorating Richard Donhauser, a crew member of the German submarine U-222.

Service & Fate:
Donhauser served aboard U-222, a Type VIIC U-boat of the Kriegsmarine. On 2 September 1942, during training operations in the Baltic Sea west of Pillau, U-222 collided with U-626 and sank at position 54.25N, 19.30E. Of the crew, 42 men perished and only 3 survived.

Item Details:

• Original wartime Sterbebild memorial card.

• Honors a submariner lost in a rare training accident rather than combat.

• Condition: Good, with light age wear.

Historical Context – U-222:

• Type: Type VIIC U-boat, backbone of the German U-boat fleet.

• Role: Training and preparation for operational deployment.

• Loss: Unlike many U-boats sunk in the North Atlantic by Allied forces, U-222’s loss came through a collision during exercises, highlighting the inherent dangers of submarine service even far from enemy action.

Collector’s Note:
This death card for Richard Donhauser represents the sacrifices of U-boat crews not only in combat but also in training. With only 3 survivors out of 45 men, the loss of U-222 stands as a stark reminder of the constant risks faced by the Kriegsmarine’s submarine arm. A poignant and historically significant piece for collectors of U-boat and Kriegsmarine memorabilia.