Martin W

His Minesweeper Doc.

Thanks again for your help Kevin. I have added all of the signatures that you have identified to the database. Here are the last two,both from a former HK ORION crewman. His EKI doc. Thanks ,Martin.

That is what i first thought Laurence. I have this image of what i think is the U-57 and it looks like Topp on the right of the conning tower? The "Devil" symbol in this image is more towards the front of the tower and not on the side,as seen in Dede's photo. However,this "Devil" symbol was later used by the U-552,U-794,U-1406 and the U-2513. So,i am inclinded to think that this is perhaps a photo of one of these other boats ? Regards,Martin.

Vizeadmiral Ernst Schirlitz. 7 September 1893 - 27 November 1978. 1914 EKII & EKI. Cross of Honor. 1939 Clasps to EKII & EKI. DKiG 1 December 1944. RK 11 March 1945. Vizeadmiral with the KM during WWII.He surrendered to the Allies at the end of WWII after the seige of La Rochelle.

Kapitan zur See Fritz Berger. 15 April 1900-27 June 1973. EKII 16 Nov.1939. EKI 15 Dec.1939. RK 4 Aug.1940 as Freggatenkapitan and chief of 1 Zerstorerflottille. This certificate was signed while he was Commander of the Zerstorer "Bruno Heinemann".

One more for now. Thanks,Martin.

I really apprreciate you taking the time to identify the signatures on these documents Kevin. I do have a few more,i you don't mind. Most of these "unknown signature" documents came with some of the Hilfskreuzer groupings i have,the names on the HK doc's i can identify. Here are a couple more. Regards,Martin.

I agree with Dan and Kevin, it certainly looks to be the U-130. Here is the illustration and description from Hogel's book. Regards,Martin

Excellent detective work Kevin. Now we have an idea who this "Clemens" guy is. Many thanks, Martin.

Konteradmiral Hans-Herbert Stobwasser. 8 March 1885-11 February 1946. This document was signed during his tenure as, "Der II Admiral der Nordsee" from 25 September 1935 to 30 September 1937.

The signature looks like "Clemens" to me also Kevin. I wonder if this guy is a German official or an Australian Official?? Regards,Martin.

Vizeadmiral Gustav Kiesertzky. 22 Sept.1893-19 November 1943. Killed on the 19 November 1943 during the Kerch-Elitigen Operation. He was posthumously awarded the RK on 20 November 1943.

I agree with Dan. From the emblem on the conning tower is does appear to be the U-502. Regards,Martin.

Hi Kevin, i have one more document with an unknown (to me) signature. This is a Hilfskreuzer award document for a crewman from the HK Kormoran. The document was issued while he was being held in Murchison POW camp in Australia. I have seen a few of these "Kormoran" documents and they all bear the same signature. I do not think it is the signature of the Commander of the Kormoran,Theodor Detmers. Thanks,Martin.

Thanks again Kevin. That's just great. So,i am not sure how this works? Now that you have identifed the names do you add them to the database or would you like me to add them? Either way is fine with me. Thanks and regards,Martin.

Thanks Kevin, herei is another signature i cannot identify that is pre-war. Regards,Martin.

Unknown signature on a Minesweeper document.

I have a few Kevin. 1st unidentified on a Blockade Breaker document.

Printed signature of Transport Minister Julius Dorpmuller on a Blockade Breaker award certificate. Dorpmuller was General manager of the Deutsche Reichsbahn Gesellschaft from 1926-45 and Reich Transport Minister from 1937-45.

Erik, while going through one of my Thor albums i found this "colourized" photo of Walter Nehm,same image that you posted in post #18. Regards,Martin.

Hi EriK, over the last couple of years i have managed to pick up "tons" of documentation and photographs from the Hilfsreuzer Thor. Today i picked up Nehm's cetificate from his 1st crossing of the Equator. Under Otto Kahler ,the Thor on her 1st cruise crossed the Equator on the 6th of July 1940 as seen here on the certificate. Just a great piece and a lovely addition to my Thor collection.. Regards,Martin.

It looks like a runic symbol Joe. I could not find it in Hogel's U-Boat Emblem book,but as you say i could be from one of the small vessel units,Minesweepers.S-Boats,etc? Regards,Martin.

This one has got me stumped too Joe. I have looked and looked but i cannot come up with an answer yet. Cheers,Martin.

Congratulations Peter. A nice complete example too. Great photo Joe. Regards,Martin.

Thanks guys. This is not a common trio of awards for a HK crewman. For example,the HK THOR on it's 1st cruise had a compliment of 326 men. The EKII was awarded to 289 crewmen,but only 43 received the EKI and they were mostly Officers and NCO's. Regards,Martin.