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Japanese Commemorative Medal for German Submariners - Monsun - Uboats

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    Japanese Commemorative Medal for German Submariners - Monsun - Uboats

    Hello, first I know that this is not the exact category, but I think the history of this japanese commemorative medal would be interesting for the “Kriegsmarine” collectors (if not, so Moderator please move this threat).<O</O
    <O</O
    This decoration is unknown to the vast majority of collectors and historians, the Japanese Commemorative Medal for German Submariners in the Indian Ocean, from the so called "Monsun-uboats".
    <O</O
    Approximately 45 German submarines were dispatched to Southeast Asia from October 1943 to May 1945. Two-thirds of these were sunk en route, and just 16 U-boats arrived at the bases at Penang, Singapore, Jakarta and Surabaya. One of these boats (U-511) was sent to Japan as a gift from the Reich so that the Japanese could copy it.
    <O</O
    On 27 November 1943 U-178 became the first submarine to depart Penang for the return voyage to Germany, and the Japanese had prepared a special memento for the German submariners. It was a hand-engraved commemorative medal made of solid silver. There was a stylized submarine on one side, with the Japanese flag above it and Japanese script beneath it which translated as “Indian Ocean”. A stylized submarine was also engraved on the other side. Above the boat was the Reich War Flag and beneath it the words “Indian Ocean” in German. The medals were individually hand-engraved.
    <O</O
    Based on interviews and examinations of the estates of many former Monsoon Boat crewmembers, I have been able to determine that that the medals were only issued to the crews of the first submarines to depart Penang for France in late 1943—early 1944. The boats were U-178, U-532, U-188, U-168 and U-183.

    Front and rear views of the Japanese Commemorative Medal for German Submariners in the Indian Ocean. The design of the medal was very simple. Most submariners wore it suspended from their U-Boat War Badge, but only when posing for photos. Officially the medal was not supposed to be worn.


    <O</O
    Attached Files

    #2
    On the pier at Penang, Rear Admiral Ichioka Hisashi greets the assembled crew of Kptlt. Pich’s U-168 shortly after tying up on 11 November 1943. At that time the 50-year-old Ichioka Hisashi was commander of the Japanese Navy’s Submarine Flotilla 8.
    Attached Files

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      #3
      I discovered confirming documentation as well as evidence in the form of pass books, diary entries and portrait photos of sailors wearing the medal for crewmen of U-178, U-188 and U-532. None of the crewmembers of submarines that arrived in Penang after April 1944 had any knowledge of the medal.
      <O</O
      An entry dated 27/11/1943 in the diary of Fähnrich Hans Lange (U-178) reveals how and when the first medals were presented:
      Saturday<O</O
      A beautiful summer’s day. After a last walk around Penang, we are finally, finally leaving. How happy we all are! Repeated goodbyes from all commanders. The crews and the officers are assembled on the pier. Two bouquets of flowers on the antenna give the whole thing a festive air – as well the commander’s pennant. The pier is covered in white and brown. Japanese naval officers have arrived. The first German submarine is leaving Penang fully equipped. Korv.Kapt. Dommes again bids each man farewell and as a memento presents each with a badge, donated by Admiral Ichioka. We are all very pleased with it. Final words by Korv.Kapt. Dommes. Then warm words by our new commander Kptlt. Spahr and a farewell by detachment commander Kptlt. Hoppe. Heartfelt words: the boat was especially close to his heart. Final warm handshakes with the comrades with whom we have made such close friendships out here. They are all splendid chaps (Charley, Otto, Willi, Oberfeldwebel Hechlersan and Oblt. Vogel). Then on board. Atmosphere is heartily. The casting-off maneuver went splendidly. The crew stands on the upper deck. When the boat is far enough from the pier: “Both diesels half speed!” Billowing clouds and then wave, and wave again. The admiral (Jap.) is also there. Our Japanese comrades wave enthusiastically from their boats. The pier grows small, “Shanghai” sinks and Penang—quietly fades in the fog. The sea is restless. At last we are under way. I am on Oblt.z.S. Schrenk’s watch. That’s the trick!”

      <O</O

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        #4
        Wow! Fantastic and extremely rare. Thank you for posting here and making us all aware of this unique bit of history.

        Joe

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          #5
          This studio photo shows Maschinengefreiten Walter Obst of U-188 with his parents. Obst posed for the photo wearing the Japanese commemorative medal suspended from the bottom of his U-Boat War Badge. As the medal reflected the studio light very strongly, it is only visible as a bright spot.
          <O</O
          Attached Files

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            #6
            Korv.Kpt. Wilhelm Dommes, who sailed U-178 into Penang on 27 August 1943, took over the position of base commander on 1/3/1944, succeeding Korv.Kpt. Wolfgang Erhardt. On 1 January 1945 he became base commander in Singapore (called Shonan during the Japanese occupation) and simultaneously “Commander of Submarines in the Southeast Area”. Here he is seen with a Japanese submarine commander during a garden party held in Penang’s botanical garden on 8 September 1943.
            Attached Files

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              #7
              The questions remain: how many of these memorial medals were handed out and how many survive?
              <O</O
              The total crew strength of the five submarines that received the medals was barely 300 men. As each medal was individually hand-engraved, the total number of medals produced could not have been much higher than 300. Of the five U-boats, two (U-178 and U-188) returned to the French base at Bordeaux in May and early June 1944, respectively. After an extremely long voyage lasting more than half a year, the submarines were in very poor condition when they arrived. Incapable of taking to sea, they were blown up in the Bordeaux submarine bunker when the Allies landed in Normandy. Some members of the crews managed to complete the perilous journey to Germany, and it is a certainty that some of the medals were lost at this time.<O</O
              Another boat that returned to Europe was U-532. It was at sea when Germany capitulated and subsequently surrendered to a British destroyer, which escorted the submarine into the port of Liverpool on 10 May 1945. The crew immediately became prisoners of war, and in this case too a number of medals must have “gone astray”.<O</O
              This leaves the boats U-168 and U-183. Neither made it back to France, as their designated supply ships were sunk. The boats therefore returned to Southeast Asia. Returning to operations there, both U-boats were sunk by Allied submarines, U-168 on 6 October 1944 and U-183 on 23 April 1945. Just 28 men survived the sinkings to become prisoners of the British or Americans. More medals must have been lost with the two U-boats.
              <O</O
              It is therefore likely that about 180 examples of the medal reached Europe on U-178, U-188 and U-532. Many of these were lost in the confusion of the late-war and postwar years or in captivity, so that today there are probably fewer than 100 examples of the medal still in existence.<O</O
              <O</O

              (If you want to see more photos of the medal in wear, or an “Soldbuch”-entry, you can also look at the new issue of our magazin “U-Boot im Focus” No. 5 ).<O</O

              collani

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                #8
                Wow, this Collani is a quiet guy - but if he decides to post something it always seems to be something truly special.

                Thanks a lot for posting this medal and the explanation. I found it absolutely interesting! Very understandable that you are so fond of these
                Monsun-boats, their story is most fascinating!

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                  #9
                  nice stuff

                  yes I have read this in the latest U Boot Im Focus magazine

                  great magazine too btw

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                    #10
                    What a wonderful medal. Now I have another medal to seek as I collect both German and Japanese naval awards and qualification badges.

                    Bob Hritz
                    In the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king.

                    Duct tape can't fix stupid, but it can muffle the sound.

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                      #11
                      Saw it in the magazine as well....now that's a rare beauty! Thanks!
                      Greg

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                        #12
                        Thanks Colanni--I find U boat history fascinating and you have added another chapter to research. Excellent Recon!!! Good Hunting.

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                          #13
                          thanks for sharing collani!

                          I have always been fascinated by the monsun U boats for sailing for than 5 months to reach japanese bases in Malaysia /Singapore / Indonesia.

                          of the original 45 boats , if i remember correctly only 4 made it back to europe:-

                          U861 (RK Jurgen Oesten-Black Panther) most succesful

                          U188-commander made it all the way back to europe was awarded the Rk at sea but died on boad a ship fire shortly after!

                          U178

                          fourth U Boat ??

                          U181 and a few other boats were taken over by the japanese here in Singapore and Indonesia.

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                            #14
                            Originally posted by Ian Lim View Post
                            U181 and a few other boats were taken over by the japanese here in Singapore and Indonesia.
                            And of course dont forget U862 which made it all the way to here in New Zealand and I believe was the most southern operating U boat

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Originally posted by DaveNZ View Post
                              And of course dont forget U862 which made it all the way to here in New Zealand and I believe was the most southern operating U boat

                              yep, U862 was the only German U boat to operate in the pacific ocean during World War II, sailed to new zealand, tasmania and even sydney and sank several merchant ships there including an american ship.

                              After Germany's surrender in May 1945, U-862 was taken over by the IJN under the name I-502.

                              After the war, she was sunk off singapore waters, if only I could dive, U862 and U181 is out here somewhere.

                              Comment

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