More U-Boat stuff

[Gordon Williamson]

Here is another nice one.
Oberleutnant Eberhard Marx served on the Destroyer Friedrich Ihn, before moving to U-Boats. He was IWO on U-443, U-437 and U-1231. Note how young he looks. He was only 17 when he joined up. His ranks run thru Matrose, Seekadetten, Fähnrich zur See, Oberfähnrich zur See, Leutnant zur See and Oberleutnant zur See.



His awards are the U-Boat badge, EK2, EK1, U-Boat Clasp in Bronze and U-Boat Clasp in Silver.



He was one of the lucky ones who survived the war. The cover has a plain card outer jacket stitched oround it. It hasn't been denazified. the original eagle and swastika is still there under the plain card outer cover.

[JYN]

Hi Gordon,

This is an infantry Soldbuch with the U stamp. By 1944, Gefreiter Mehring from the GR 942 was belonging to the 21./Festung. Stamm. Trp. XXV Korps in Saint-Nazaire. He was in charge with the defence of the U-Boat base and was authorised to reach certain locks (Normandieschleuse, Südschleuse, kleine Schleuse). It is probably as not rare as your documents...



Jean-Yves Nasse

[Angel Farré]

Jean, the clerk who attached the photo in your Soldbuch want to be totally sure that nobody could replace it, four stamps, each corner of the photo. I was intrigued, was the Heer in charge of the defense and security of the U-boot bases in France? I always suppose that this was a service done by land personal of the KM. Have you more info about this?

Angel

[Gordon Williamson]

Jean-Yves,

Very interesting indeed. I have never seen an Army Solduch with the U-stamp before. Do you actually own this one ? If so is it possible to get some colour pics ?

Gordon

[JYN]

Hello Angel,

After the British Raid on the 27/28 March 1942, the area around the Joubert's lock in the St-Nazaire harbor has been transformed in a small fortress in case of a land attack. Casemates were built around the U-Boat base and most of them were served by Army men from the 21./Festa XXV. On the other hand, you have aslo naval defences (Marine Artillery & Flak, etc.).
Jean-Yves

[JYN]

Hi Gordon,

Yes it is not common but probably a bit logical as they were obliged to patrol in certain locks by the base. This document is from my collection. I could do a colour scan and send it to you by E-Mail.

Jean-Yves