Erik Krogh

KM warship recognition manual for France, Holland, Greece, Norway, and Poland.

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Here is a favorite piece in my collection. It is a letter written on-board U-564 by Teddy Suhren to his friend, Hans Geissler, Kmdt of U-440. The letter was written on May 25, 1942 as U-564 was returning home from her successful 6th war patrol. This was the patrol where the Mexican tanker Potrero del Llano was sunk, leading to Mexico to declare war on Germany. This was also the patrol prior to the PK photographing the 7th patrol that ultimately was the basis for Lawrence Patterson's book "U-Boat War Patrol: The Hidden Photographic Diary of U-564". The letter is 4 pages long and, to quote Detlev Niemann's description, contains "very interesting and personal contents...now on the way back from 2nd enemy cruise this year...how is your boat doing...be careful on your cruise...don't overextend and overrate your ambitions...always follow your feelings...I wish I could give you some of my experience...your Teddy". The original feldpost envelope came with the letter, as well as a post-war (1948) letter to Geissler where Teddy complains about his health.

Richard, I foolishly thought that I probably had the only surviving example. Yours is more detailed than mine - nice piece! Any more out there??

Reverse

Obverse Detai l

The Frontreif U-Boat badge has been controversial, to say the least, with many collectors categorically pronouncing them as fakes. Has anybody seen another one of these Frontreif stickpins? I purchased this pin from one of the major German dealers, and I would be quite interested in opinions regarding originality. Thanks!

Frontspange in Bronze document. Note misspelling of Glowka's name.

U-81 commissioning, April 26, 1941

U-81 Unteroffizier Korps, June 1943

U-81 crew, 1941

And the merriment (and relief at surviving 12 cruises!) continues...

Conningtower Picture #2.

Conningtower Picture #1. Note the badge is depicted on the sign held by the crew.

12th Patrol Document

Here is a grouping of items from U-81's 12th war patrol attributed to Obersteurmann Helmut Glowka. Included are the board-made badge, 12th patrol urkunde, Frontspange in Bronze urkunde, and several photos. A couple of the photos are repros, but the crew pictures are original.

Gordon, I received my copy (#5) of Torpedo Los a couple of weeks ago and have had difficulty putting it down. What a fabulous book you have written! You really have covered this area of collecting comprehensively. Great seeing detailed pictures of Michel's fabulous U-Boat collection as well as Thomas Huss' items and all of the other contributions. I was surprised and extremely pleased to see my own W?chtler & Lange badge on page 187, and appreciate the credit. Thanks for all of your efforts which have benefited the hobby tremendously. Best Regards, Erik Krogh