Wehrpass/Soldbuch set.

[Gordon Williamson]

One of my favourite sets.

Erich Weyel, Born 13 July 1918. Ordinary lad, no special education, just Volksschule, registered for military service just before his 18th Birthday, on 3 July 1936.

[Gordon Williamson]

Did his 6months service with the RAD, then volunteered for the Navy.

[Gordon Williamson]

Military Service commences 1 December 1937.

He does his basic infantry training, like all sailors, with the rifle, qualifying on the G98, and is trained as an engine room mechanic.

[Gordon Williamson]

Weyel is posted to the Destroyer "Erich Koellner" and by the outbreak of war has reach the rank of Maschinenobergefreiter

[Gordon Williamson]

The Erich Koellner is part of the Destroyer fleet which is sent in to Narvik. Here she is active in both the First Battle of Narvik, which she survives. In the Second Battle however she is attackled by both British Destroyers and the Battleship Warspite and sunk with heavy loss of life.

Weyel ends up a POW in Norwegian captivity, but not for long as Norway surrenders. He then ends up for a while on Minesweeping duties around the Norwegian coast before moving to new duties.

[Gordon Williamson]

On U-Boats !

[Gordon Williamson]

Like many former Destroyer crew whose ships were lost at Narvik, Weyel transferred to U-Boats. He served on U-386, eventually reaching the rank of Maschinenmaat, still in the engine room.

[Gordon Williamson]

Weyels awards included the EK2, Minesweeper Badge, Destroyer Badge, Narvik Shield, KVK2 and U-Boat badge.

[Gordon Williamson]

Several entries show the Fieldpost numbers M42766 (5 U-Flotille) and M50100 (U-386).

Operating out of St. Nazaire, U-386 was located by British escort HMS Spey north-north-east of the Azores and sunk with depth charges. Some of the crew were rescued but Weyel and 32 others were lost. Very few engine room crew ever escaped from stricken U-Boats.

[Gordon Williamson]

Must have been an interesting uniform to see, with three war badges worn , plus the Narvik shield.

[Simon Orchard]

Very nice Narvikk?mpfer group. I take it you don't have the award docs to go with it?

I note the 01416 Fp number to the K?stensicherungsverband Polark?ste based out of Troms?, where i live as it happens.

Here's a WB doc i have from that formation.