Kriegsmarine Oblt.z.See W. Fock, German Cross i.G., minesweeper captain

[Bernhard H.Holst]

Hello readers:

I am posting an example of a German Navy junior officer who rose through the ranks from a petty officer to that of Oberleutnant z.See of the reserves and captain of minesweepers. He was born on 21 October 1915 in Holstein province.Unfortunately nothing is known of his post war career once his command of mine sweeping duties following the end of WW II ended in 1947.

His commands were as captain of minesweepers "M 29" and after this ship sustained heavy damages in June 1944 in the Baltic that of "M 374"even past the end of WW II when based mainly in Norway on duty with the British controlled German minesweeping units. This duty ended in October 1946 but apparently still continued in the North Sea based on Bremen until August 1947.

We hear a lot of the more "glamorous" U-and S-Boote or the few capital ships the German Navy put to sea but less of the small ships which had the difficult tasks of mine clearing and escort duties. This officer's deployment was mainly in the northern seas such as the Arctic and the north of Norway upon the start of "M 29" service in April 1940. Followed by deployment in the Baltic Sea in co-operation with Finnish Forces and later in the middle and western areas of the Baltic."M 29" was heavily damaged in June 1944 with Oblt.z.See Fock wounded.

I have in my care this officer's military documents which appear to be complete and have the pleasure to display a picture of him and the documents for the German Cross i.G. dated 27 August 1944 and for the Finnish Cross of Liberty 4th Class dated 28 June 1944 . I believe the latter is not seen too often but unfortunately this picture does not show the complete paper seal attached to the lower portion of the document.

Bernhard H. Holst

[Guest Rick Research]

Unfortunately Fock did not join the MOH eV after the war, so I can't find anything either.

I wonder how many members of the German Mine-Sweeping Administration were blown up "after" everybody else's war had ended... just like all the other nations whose navies had to scour the world's oceans for years seeking out leftover explosives.

Minesweeping wasn't glamorous, but a lot of lives depended on these guys--in every navy.

We just had a U.S. navy Pacific minesweepers veteran over yesterday for his 86th birthday. Our equipment was so bad, his ship used him to snipe enemy (and sometimes our own floaters!) mines with a rifle! Great "fun" at 18... but not so much thinking about it afterwards!

[Bernhard H.Holst]

Unfortunately Fock did not join the MOH eV after the war, so I can't find anything either.

I wonder how many members of the German Mine-Sweeping Administration were blown up "after" everybody else's war had ended... just like all the other nations whose navies had to scour the world's oceans for years seeking out leftover explosives.

Minesweeping wasn't glamorous, but a lot of lives depended on these guys--in every navy.

We just had a U.S. navy Pacific minesweepers veteran over yesterday for his 86th birthday. Our equipment was so bad, his ship used him to snipe enemy (and sometimes our own floaters!) mines with a rifle! Great "fun" at 18... but not so much thinking about it afterwards!

Hello Rick.

I am unaware of post-war losses to the German Navy mine sweeping service.

Oblt.z.S.Fock's ship was damaged by air attack I believe not by a sweeping incident.

B.T.W. While visiting the grounds of old Ft.Townsend near Pt.Townsend ,WA some years ago we stumbled upon a two story brick building with the center area clear and a lifting mechansm . A sign explained this to have been used during WW II by the US Navy with the means of a powerful x-ray to examine enemy mines and torpedoes. In the middle of no- where in case of a mishaps....

Bernhard H. Holst