U-Boat Soldbuch - POW U-190

[RoyA]

Greetings all,
I thought forum members might enjoy viewing the soldbuch of Maschinen-Obergefreiter Erich Sommer.
His cadre unit was the 3rd U-Boat Training Detachment in Pillau. Sommer served aboard U-190, a type IXC/40 U-Boat manufactured by AG Weser in Bremen and commissioned in September 24, 1942. Sommer's soldbuch features the very desirable U stamp in red ink which allowed U-Boat crewmembers to enter the U-Boat pens.

[RoyA]

As a crew member of U-190, Sommer was awarded the U-Boat Badge on October 5, 1944, and carries the stamp of the U-Boat base in Flensburg.

[RoyA]

Pages 20 and 36 have the signature of Oberleutnant Zur See Hans-Edwin Reith, the Kommandant of U-190.

[RoyA]

U-190 left Norway on its 6th mission on February 22, 1945, to Sable Island, off the East coast of Canada.
This, its last mission, was to strike allied shipping approaching or leaving Halifax harbour. On April 16, U-190 engaged the Canadian Bangor-class minesweeper HMCS Esquimault, sinking the ship with a stern-fired Gnat torpedo. Esquimalt was the last Canadian vessel lost in the Second World War.

[RoyA]

On May 8th, Reith received orders from Donitz to surrender. On May 11th, Reith was finally intercepted by Canadian Corvettes 500 miles east of Newfoundland, at which time he signed an unconditional surrender. On May 12th, U-190 arrived in Bay Bulls, Newfoundland under Canadian escort. Erich Sommer and the crew of U-190 were taken as prisoners to Halifax.

[RoyA]

When the U-190 surrendered in May 1945, the senior officers included Lt. Werner Müller, 22 years old, and Lt Ernst Glenk, 21 years old. At that time, both , Müller and Glenk had already served 3 years in U-Boat service! Unfortunately, I have been unable to find a photo of Reith, and would really appreciate any help from Forum members.

[RoyA]

Müller and Glenk

[RoyA]

In June 1945, U-190 was commissioned into the Royal Canadian Navy. It served as an anti-submarine training vessel for 2 years. On October 21, 1947, it was towed to the site of the sinking of Esquimalt. In view of 24 media representatives, it was finally "killed" by 2 Tribal-class destroyers and 20 aircraft including Swordfish, Ansons, Seafires and Fireflies. Perhaps "overkilled" is the proper word.
This is the emblem of U-190 as Her Majesty's Canadian Sub U-190.

[RoyA]

Following are some photographs taken after U-190's surrender in 1945, courtesy of the Canadian Department of National Defense.
Photo 1
Looking aft in the control room. The ladder leads up to the conning tower, and the white cylinder is the periscope well. A voice tube is visible beside the ladder.

[RoyA]

Photo 2
This was taken in the forward torpedo room, showing the four 21" (53 cm) torpedo tubes.

[RoyA]

Photo 3
A close up of one of the deck hatches.

[RoyA]

Photo 4
Looking aft in the electric motor room. This compartment was situated between the aft torpedo room and the diesel engine room, which was in turn just aft of the control room.

[RoyA]

If anyone can help me with a photo of Reith, I'd be greatly indebted.
Cheers and best regards,
Roy

[Tony & Kaiser]

Excellent!

Roy,
That is absolutely outstanding. I have never see the "U" stamp before, nor such as well-presented posting in chronological order. I have printed it to file away. Thanks for sharing! Tony http://www.kaisersbunker.com

[Ian Jewison]

Very nice book Roy!
I think I have a photo of Reith somewhere and will post it later.
Does your book have a security check on pages 20 or 21? If so is it possible to provide a scan?
I have a Soldbuch to a crew member of U-129, however 1944 there is a security check for what I believe to the signature of Oberleutnant zur See Hans-Edwin Reith from U-boot Stutzpunkt Flensburg. This is dated 4.10.1944 and matches up on the 5th voyage of U-190 which put in to Flensburg on that date.
U-129 put in to Lorient on 19.7.1944 and was scuttled 18.8.1944. U-190 left Lorient on 17.8.1944 .......so it all seems to fit!!!

Tony, regarding the "U", it is not uncommon for this to be found as it was a quick means of identifyinh a submariner!

Regards, Ian