Kriegsmarine A couple of award docs to a U-boat commander

[Simon Orchard]

Just arrived today, thought i'd post 'em here as i know this is where the U-boat guys hang out. Two docs to Oberleutnant Walter Pietschmann, Watch officer on U377 and captain of U712 and U762.

Born 31.7.1919 in Rauschwalde, promoted Oberleutnant z.See 1.4.1942. Served as adjutant and watchofficer with the 17 MS.Fl. May 1940 to Jan.1941. U-boat training to Aug.1941, with U377 Oct.41 to Aug.42. Captain of U712 Nov.42 to Dec.43, Captain of U762 Dec.43 to Feb.44. Killed along with the rest of his crew on 8 Feb.44 after a depth charge attack by British escorts.

The minesweeper doc is worthy of note as it's a very early example, in fact i can't recall seeing one earlier. Both docs are in pristine condition. Promotion doc handsigned by Raeder and minesweeper doc signed by Hans Stohwasser.

[Gordon Williamson]

Very nice Simon, and very interesting. I have a pair of promotion documents to an L.I. on a U-Boat, one of which is signed, also by Raeder, on the same date as yours, and hand signed.

Interestingly, for his later, subsequent promotion to Oberleutnant (Ing) the sig is a facsimile. I'm guessing this was probably the norm, early docs being hand signed and later ones with facsimiles.

[Simon Orchard]

Very nice Simon, and very interesting. I have a pair of promotion documents to an L.I. on a U-Boat, one of which is signed, also by Raeder, on the same date as yours, and hand signed.

Interestingly, for his later, subsequent promotion to Oberleutnant (Ing) the sig is a facsimile. I'm guessing this was probably the norm, early docs being hand signed and later ones with facsimiles.

4th of May was clearly a paperwork signing day for Raeder.

I found this account of the U-762's sinking.

Link

[Gordon Williamson]

4th of May was clearly a paperwork signing day for Raeder.

I found this account of the U-762's sinking.

Link

Here's the modified "Black Swan" Class Sloop that sank her - "HMS Woodpecker". The sloop was, in turn, sunk by U-256 in February 1944.

[RichardT]

Another promotion document with an original Raeder signature to Herbert Bruninghaus, Senior NCO Navigator and WO on U-38 and commander of U-6, U-148 and U-1059.

Richard

[Erik Krogh]

4th of May was clearly a paperwork signing day for Raeder.

I found this account of the U-762's sinking.

Link

Here is another promotion doc hand-signed by Raeder on 4 May 1940. He must have suffered mightily from writers cramp that day!

Werner Mischke was II WO on U-65. He was KIA when the boat went down on 28 April 1941. I have a grouping for this officer which includes condolence letters to Mischke's father from both Heinz Fischer and Viktor Sch?tze. My guess is that the leadership of the 2nd U-Flottille was transitioning and that is why Herr Mischke received two letters.

Erik