Kriegsmarine KM Log Book?

[Jock Auld]

Guys,

This came out of the same container as the photo album. I am unsure what it is supposed to be as it states log book but is more informal like a diary? It has a lot of interesting bits in it. I will post some of the more interesting bits. I can't read his hand so if anyone can feel free. I can make out he was on board the Line Ship Schlesien in what capacity I am unsure, perhaps a cadet or such like hence the diary/log? I am sure it would be worth decyphering his entries as he has put a lot of effort into it. I like the U1 picture, I have seen the image on the net so no doubt a commercial image you could buy at the souvaneer stands, it is embossed at the lower right with a firm name from Keil.

Any ideas as to why he has this book going on?

Jock

[speedytop]

Hi Jock,

it ia a diary with the name Logbuch. I think, that everybody could buy such a Logbuch in the canteen, for his personal use.

To use the name Logbuch for a diary is not unusual in a Marine.

Uwe

[Bernhard H.Holst]

Hello Jock.

Thank you for posting this.Interesting Log Book of and then for Matrose ( sailor) Luetjens.who apparently started his navy enlistment on bord of the old battleship of the line (Linienschiff) "Schlesien". His handwriting is easy to read only the size gives me some trouble. He gives the particulars of the ship which they learned to become familiar with it including the officers complement and their assignment ( First Officer, Engineering Officer etc). The ships armament, speed.and all things important.

So this is a personal log rather than anything official. He gives info on a trip to Spain while it seemingly is still a republic. The picture of U 1 shows the ship's flag still to be the Weimar flag not the new "Reichskriegsflagge" with the swastica.

The last page you show describes the new year 1936 just being entered.

The "Schlesien" was a training vessel and obsolete but still useful together with the "Schleswig Holstein" and both performed credibly during the between war years having been allowed by the Versailles Treaty to be kept by Germany and then during the WW II.

I wish I could read more of the pages but that is a pain...

Bernhard H. Holst

BTW: name Luetjens is a coincidence with the Admiral who died on the "Bismarck"

Edited September 25, 2014 by Bernhard H.Holst

[Jock Auld]

Bernhard,

It is well filled out, perhaps if I scan it in if I get a spare couple of hours it may be an interesting read for some of the KM types. Thanks for your thoughts thus far. So it is a diary in end effect and not an official document, I thought not anyway but nice to know for sure. It was in the bin so I am glad I found it but it always bothers me that I haven't found everything on a big skip like todays. Such a shame people would bin historical items such as this.

Jock

[Bernhard H.Holst]

Hello Jock.

Yes, a shame what has been and is still being discarded. But then who would want articles such as this except weird folks like us???

I will save above pages in my Documents and diddle to perhaps enlarge it in order to easier read them. What I was able to make out Matrose Luetjens was an eager and willing young fellow. There were a lot more of them. Bearing in mind that the U-Boats never had a lack of volunteers in the sailor ranks however officers had to be ordered more and more to fill slots, one can only wonder...

Bernhard H. Holst