Gordon Williamson Posted May 18, 2005 Share Posted May 18, 2005 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Williamson Posted May 18, 2005 Author Share Posted May 18, 2005 Did his 6months service with the RAD, then volunteered for the Navy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Williamson Posted May 18, 2005 Author Share Posted May 18, 2005 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Williamson Posted May 18, 2005 Author Share Posted May 18, 2005 Weyel is posted to the Destroyer "Erich Koellner" and by the outbreak of war has reach the rank of Maschinenobergefreiter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Williamson Posted May 18, 2005 Author Share Posted May 18, 2005 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Williamson Posted May 18, 2005 Author Share Posted May 18, 2005 On U-Boats ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Williamson Posted May 18, 2005 Author Share Posted May 18, 2005 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Williamson Posted May 18, 2005 Author Share Posted May 18, 2005 Weyels awards included the EK2, Minesweeper Badge, Destroyer Badge, Narvik Shield, KVK2 and U-Boat badge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Williamson Posted May 18, 2005 Author Share Posted May 18, 2005 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Williamson Posted May 18, 2005 Author Share Posted May 18, 2005 Must have been an interesting uniform to see, with three war badges worn , plus the Narvik shield. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Orchard Posted August 3, 2005 Share Posted August 3, 2005 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now