Kriegsmarine Small U-Boat KIA Grouping.

[Gordon Williamson]

Werner Starke joined the Kriegsmarine in October 1935 and like also sailors, went through basic infantry training in field grey.

[Gordon Williamson]

With his recruit group, just before the oath taking ceremony.

[Gordon Williamson]

On exercises. Just think of the current value of these M16/18 helmets with naval decals !!!!

[Gordon Williamson]

On the water at last.

[Gordon Williamson]

Passed through training and now he gets to wear a real sailors uniform.

[Gordon Williamson]

He is posted to First Minesweeping Flotilla

[Gordon Williamson]

Where there are lots of interesdting things for the new guys to do like cleaning and polishing, then cleaning and polishing some more, and of course gun drills.

[Gordon Williamson]

Pretty soon, he's got his first stripe. A Stabsmatrose

[Gordon Williamson]

He's actually a pretty good shot too, and earns the Marksmanship Lanyard.

[Gordon Williamson]

Now, he's an NCO and soon he'll be heading back to the training grounds.

[Gordon Williamson]

Where as a member of the NCO corps, -

[Gordon Williamson]

He'll be the one doing room inspections and making life hell for his recruits.

[Gordon Williamson]

In 1938, he earns the 4 Yrs Long Service Medal

[Gordon Williamson]

He's in the second row here at extreme left, wearing the Marksmanship Lanyard

[Gordon Williamson]

He has the honour of carrying the flag at passing out parade.

[Gordon Williamson]

1939 is a big year for Starcke. He gets married. This is his marriage certificate.

[Gordon Williamson]

With wife and family

[Gordon Williamson]

And he transfers to U-Boats. Here. at the commissioning ceremony for U-61. You can just see his head peeking over the commanders shoulder ( third from left)

[Gordon Williamson]

U-61 carried out 10 war cruises before being retired to training duties. Here crew members line up for inspection, -

[Gordon Williamson]

And some receive awards from Admiral Carls

[Gordon Williamson]

While with U-61, Starke earns the U-Boat War Badge.

[Gordon Williamson]

When U-61 is retired, Starcke joins U-588, a brand new Type VIIC. Some shots from her

[Gordon Williamson]

More

[Gordon Williamson]

She is also a quite successful boat, sinking 8 enemy ships in her first three patrols. On her fourth however, she is depth charged and sunk. Frau Starke gets the dreaded "missing in action" letter.

[Gordon Williamson]

Of course at first they won't know if he is dead or has maybe been rescued and taken prisoner, so when his wife gets some financial aid from the state, it merely lists him as "vermisst"