Lets see your UBoat Soldbuch or Wehrpaß

[Ian Jewison]

Here's another to Oberleutnant zur See Hans Hoß.

Nice uniform photo as Lt.z.S. wearing all awards...and as Erich-Jan has mentioned in the past, a private purchase jumper underneath his jacket! Again a replaced photo no doubt to show awards!!

Also typical "U" to front cover denoting U-Boat personnel or at least personnal that were stationed at U-Boot strongholds and ports.

The FP Nr. on page one FP Nr. 03184 belongs to 24 U-Flottillen Kommando. (Schulflottille).

[Ian Jewison]

The Soldbuch was issued 12.6.1941 by FP Nr. 25334 - 40 Minensuch Flottillen Kommando and is signed by the Flottillenchef Kapitänleutnant Georg Pinkepank RKT.

Page 3 bears confirmation of promotions on page 1.
Promotion 3 (to Leutnant zur See) whilst serving with FP Nr. M 50646 - U-Boot 358 and is signed but the Kommandant Oberleutnant zur See Rolf Mancke.

[Ian Jewison]

Page 4 shows his awards:

26.10.1941 Minesweepers Badge
12.3.1943 Iron Cross 2nd Class
3.6.1943 U-Boat Badge
19.12.1943 Iron Cross 1st Class

The last 3 awards authorised by Kapitänleutnant Rolf Mancke. FP Nr. 14971 - 7. U-Flottillen-Kommando.

The Iron Cross 2nd Class was awarded on return from the 1st patrol after sinking:
22.1.1943 sank the Swedish 1,456 ton Neva, sailing with convoy UR-59.
26.1.1943 he sank the Norwegian 8,221 ton Nortind, a member of convoy HX-223.

The U-Boat Badge was awarded on return from the 2nd patrol after sinking:
5.5.1943 sank the British 2,864 ton Bristol City, part of convoy ONS-5.
5.5.1943 fatally damaged the British 5,212 ton Wentworth, from convoy ONS-5.

The Iron Cross 1st Class was awarded on his 4th and last patrol. Although no sinkings on this patrol, on the 3rd patrol U-358 came under attack from an aircraft of RAF 228 Squadron. The boat defended itself with flak and the aircraft was destroyed.

[Ian Jewison]

The hospital pages show he suffered from 133a - other none sexual diseases of the sex organs and 26 - nerves and mental disorders. The latter I am not surprised considering the circumstances.

[Ian Jewison]

Page 23 recording units and transfers shows he was with FP Nr. 25334 - 40 Minensuch Flottillen Kommando until 29.9.1941 when he transferred to Marineschule Mürwik. From there on 31.1.1942 to FP Nr. 23870 - 7. Vorposten-Flottillenkommando aboard V 707 (FP Nr. 27640).
Then some time with schools and conversion to U-Boats.
18.7.1942 to 4 Baulehrkompanie Flensburg and on 15.8.1942 8 U-Flottille. Again with research we know these units involved in the commissioning and trainig of crew for U-358.

U-358 made 5 patrols of which Herr Hoß was aboard for 4. The 5th partol U-358 was sunk 1.3.1944 in the North Atlantic by depth charges from British frigates HMS Gould, HMS Affleck, HMS Gore and HMS Garlies. 50 dead and 1 survivor.

The next dated entry is 26.2.1944 with Nachrichtenschule Flensburg from Torpedoschuleflottille after an undated entry for FP Nr. L 49578 A - I. Gruppe Schlacht-Geschwader 101!?!?!?!
Again more training entries with the Flakschule, 3 U-Boot Lehr Division, 24 U-Flotte then to Baulehrzug Emden part of 6 Kriegsschiffbaulehrabteilung for commisioning of his next boat.

One month he participated ont a course "Regina"?

31.8.1944 to FP Nr. 41181 - U-Boot 1109, however as you can see from the entry on page 18 abot it was only for 19 days. Perhaps with entering another U-Boat after the fate of his comerads aboard U-358 was too much, for Obtl. Hoß the war was over

[Ian Jewison]

As can be seen from his final leave dated 9.3.1945 on discharge from hospital, he was on leave until called for "auf Abruf" and was unfit for military service.

All I can presume is that Obtl.z.S. Hoß was on training courses and this is why he was not aboard U-358 on her final patrol. Looking at his courses etc. I wondered if he had been trained to take command of his next ship? Unfortunately illness took over.........

[Ian Jewison]

Last one.......a photo as Oberfähnrich and his U-Boat War Badge citation.



/Ian

[Ian Jewison]

Here's another to Oberleutnant (Ingenieur) Heribert Menzel.

As with both the others I have posted it has a replaced photo and "U" to page 1, in this case with the stamp of 5 U-Flottille Kommando (Schulflottille).

[Ian Jewison]

Issued 5.7.1941 from Marineschule Flensburg-Mürwik.

Page 3 confirming promotions:
2. FP Nr. M 17684 - Linienschiff "Schleswig Holstein"
4. FP Nr. M 52352 - U-Boot 677 and authorised by Oberleutnant zur See und Kommandant Gerhard Ady

[Ian Jewison]

Page 4 showing his only award:

30.3.1942 Iron Cross 2nd Class

This was awarded by FP Nr. M 00105 - Schlachtschiff "Gneisenau"

[Ian Jewison]

Page 23 shows he was transferred from Marineschule Mürwik on 14.12.1941 to Schlachtschiff "Gneisenau" (FP Nr. M 00105) until 28.4.1942 when he was transferred to (FP Nr. M 17684).

During this time "Gneisenau" took part in the Channel Dash (Operation Cerberus) along with "Scharnhorst" the heavy cruiser "Prinz Eugen" and was heavily damaged by HMS Worcester.
His time aboard Linienschiff "Schleswig Holstein" was pretty much a training ship and the Flagship.

After officer training he was sent to 24 U-Flottille (FP Nr. 03164), FP Nr. 45127 - Technische Ausbildungs Gruppe für Front U-Boote and 23 U-Flottille (FP Nr. 06536) of which U-677 came under as a school boat.

[Panzer Rob]

Here's another to Oberleutnant zur See Hans Hoß......

Wonderful, Ian!!!


Rob

[christof]

Super Soldbucher Ian !

[Edward]

Fascinating thread showing some very fine U-Boote Soldbucher. Many would have easily into any reference work on U-Boote crews.

[Eric JB]

Hi Ian,

Nice to see Hoß again on my screen.

I remember that we talked about him and his naval career years ago.

With his rank, his experience, and those courses and training, I think it is right to assume that he was going to be an UBoat commander himself, but a nerve breakdown and mental disorder did end his naval career.

Great and well researched Soldbuch Ian.

yours friendly

Eric-Jan


ps.

Hoß left U 358 just at the right time and that saved his life.
I have spoken to UBoat crewmembers who had been in the same situation, leaving their boat at the right time, I write their as it really was their boat, their community of brothers in arms.
On one side they are very happy that they were so lucky and survived, on the other side they will never forget their boat and their comrades.
Some do still not understand why they were saved where others were not.
Sent to a course or training, transferred to a new UBoat in Germany, transfered after a promotion, sick/ill at the right moment etc.


another ps.

For me those UBoats that were able to shoot down an aircraft are something special, an extra plus/bonus.
More often the UBoat was the one that got the worst of it during such an encounter.