Description:

U-BOAT ENGINE MAN PHOTO AND DOCUMENT GROUP, K.I.A. ON U-259
An outstanding grouping of letters, documents and photographs documenting the incredible military service of engineering officer Siegfried Oelschlegel (1919-1942), who served on three U-boats from June 24, 1939 until his death in the sinking of U-259 on Nov. 16, 1942. Oelschlegel's service saw him present during the sinking of 29 merchantmen with U-37 under captains Heinrich Schuch, Werner Hartmann, and Victor Oehrn, and 18 merchantmen with U-107 under Capt. Harald Gelhaus. Oelschlagel's lucky streak ran out on his last posting with U-259, from Feb. 19, 1942 until its sinking on Nov. 15, 1942. The U-boat was attacked by a British Hudson light bomber north of Algiers, and was sunk with all 48 hands when one of the depth charges dropped by the aircraft exploded on contact with the U-boat. The blast also crippled the aircraft, forcing the crew to bail out. Only the pilot and one crewman were rescued. This excellent lot includes: Oelschlagel's wehrpass issued Mar. 23, 1937, and setting forth all details of his military service; his 'Polar Baptism Certificate', issued and signed aboard U-37 by Capt. WERNER HARTMANN (1902–1963), credited with sinking 26 ships and a recipient of the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves; 33 original and postcard photographs of Oelschlager during his training, marching, as a flag bearer, with his friends, in portraits, etc., a few mailed home; two handwritten letters sent home by Oelschlager to his father, 1940; another handwritten letter sent to the family by an unidentified captain, Apr. 17, 1943; his funeral notice; a page of his mathematical notes; a black-bordered letter of condolence sent to his parents by the mayor of Stadt Hof, June 15, 1943; a 1938 insurance policy; his membership card with photo in the German Lifesaving Society; a Sports Badge award document; his 'Reichssportabzeichen' sports award book; vocational school report card; and finally, an insulting government notice dated June 12, 1950 indicating that no 'legally binding decision on the 'declaration of your son's death' had been received, therefore a death benefit or pension would be held up. Overall fine condition, and one of the best U-boat groupings we've seen.

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November 29, 2023 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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