Vets wearing their 57ers!!!

[Sepp45]

Another long-term project has come to an end: Karl Donit'z funeral (6 January 1981).

As the last German officer with the rank of Grand Admiral, he was honoured by many former servicemen and foreign naval officers who came to pay their respects at his funeral on 6 January 1981. However, he had received only the pension pay of a captain because the West German government ruled all of his advances in rank after that had been because of Hitler. He was buried in Waldfriedhof Cemetery in Aumühle without military honours, and soldiers were not allowed to wear uniforms to the funeral. However a number of German naval officers disobeyed this order and were joined by members of the Royal Navy, such as the senior chaplain the Rev. Dr John Cameron, in full dress uniform. Also in attendance were over one hundred holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.

Many known faces can be seen on the pictures, including Hans-Ulrich Rudel (being ask for autographs by the crowd) and a Swords winner, who's face I can't recognize.

Hope you like this, guys!

Regards,
Sepp.

[Nigel N]

Fantastic Sepp!!!!!!!!!
Great series of photo's, non of which I've seen before!!
Thanks for posting!!!!!!!
-Nigel

[Arthur Spooner]

Absolutely great job Sepp!!

Many thanks for your work and posting this pictures

[Tom B]

Another long-term project has come to an end: Karl Donit'z funeral (6 January 1981).

As the last German officer with the rank of Grand Admiral, he was honoured by many former servicemen and foreign naval officers who came to pay their respects at his funeral on 6 January 1981. However, he had received only the pension pay of a captain because the West German government ruled all of his advances in rank after that had been because of Hitler. He was buried in Waldfriedhof Cemetery in Aumühle without military honours, and soldiers were not allowed to wear uniforms to the funeral. However a number of German naval officers disobeyed this order and were joined by members of the Royal Navy, such as the senior chaplain the Rev. Dr John Cameron, in full dress uniform. Also in attendance were over one hundred holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.

Many known faces can be seen on the pictures, including Hans-Ulrich Rudel (being ask for autographs by the crowd) and a Swords winner, who's face I can't recognize.

Hope you like this, guys!

Regards,
Sepp.

Thanks you Sepp ! Never seen these before ! The swords winner is Horst Niemack and I also see Will Fey (W-SS). H. Niemack was the President of the OdR at that time, and Will Fey was also on the OdR staff. Tom

[xmember]

Great job Sepp - thanks again for all your work on these projects. Keep them coming.

Regards,
Rudy

[Sepp45]

Thanks you all for the words of encouragement and support!

For that, I leave you a second set of photos I wasn't planning to add here, but since the project did well, then no problem

Regards,
Sepp.

[Tom B]

Thanks you all for the words of encouragement and support!

For that, I leave you a second set of photos I wasn't planning to add here, but since the project did well, then no problem

Regards,
Sepp.

Bottom left photo....Will Fey again & behind him, Walter Harzer. The swords in the photo are H. Niemack's original wartime ones. Afew years later I heard his home was broken into and all his swords were stolen. I met him several times and he was a true gentleman. Tom

[Tony T-S]

I note the tribute from the Hess family. He was still alive then. Amazing shots.

[luftkrieg]

Sepp

The Donitz funeral photos are FANTASTIC!!! As someone who has a keen interest in Kriegsmarine officers, I want to say thank you for posting these!

Do you happen to have an enlarged photo of the funeral pillow?

Best regards
Pierce

[Sepp45]

Do you happen to have an enlarged photo of the funeral pillow?

Best regards
Pierce

I'll see what I can do, but I do not hold much hope. Let me give it a try

[Sepp45]

Hauptmann Herbert Jaschke, next to Hans-Ulrich Rudel (30.5.1960).

Photo credits to WAF member Eric JB

[Sepp45]

Do you happen to have an enlarged photo of the funeral pillow?

That's the best thing I can do for you, Pierce

[action14]

"Hauptmann Herbert Jaschke, next to Hans-Ulrich Rudel (30.5.1960). "

God bless both of you for this picture!

Just great!

Thank you!!

[Norm F]

The Donitz funeral photos are FANTASTIC!!! As someone who has a keen interest in Kriegsmarine officers, I want to say thank you for posting these!

Do you happen to have an enlarged photo of the funeral pillow?

Best regards
Pierce

That's the best thing I can do for you, Pierce

Hi Guys,

Does anyone else find it odd that there would be a U-Boat badge with swastika on display on Doenitz's funeral pillow in 1981? (I guess one can only speculate -- a funeral is usually a private affair.)

Best regards,
---Norm

[Tom B]

Hi Guys,

Does anyone else find it odd that there would be a U-Boat badge with swastika on display on Doenitz's funeral pillow in 1981? (I guess one can only speculate -- a funeral is usually a private affair.)

Best regards,
---Norm

Hi Norm, Yes you are right. A certain amount of latitude was given by the Authorities in this regard. As long as no very open display of the Swas was done( flags, banners etc.) it was pretty much over looked. I do know this however....the OdR would not allow it for any reason at one of their functions. Tom