In KTB #107 last month, we read of the U-Boat Skipper nick-named ‘the GANGSTER’ by his fellow officers because he always carried a pistol, something that U-Boat officers almost never did. DICK COLE (204-A-1986) sends a few clippings from various books that have a slightly different twist to this story.

In the book THE FAUSTBALL TUNNEL by John Hammond Moore, it portrays Holtring as ‘an unpredictable madcap’ whose passions in life seemed to be liquor and firearms. Holtring and many of his crew of U-604 were on board U-185 after their own boat was sunk, and as U-185 is herself sinking from attacks of planes from USS CORE, this is how that book tells of the final moments in the life of Holtring.

“In the midst of this confused melee, U-604’s seriously injured captain, now a passenger on the U-185, decided he could not make it through the hatchway to safety. Drawing his pistol -- a constant companion, which he had once used to shoot off his big toe while lying in a drunken stupor in a bunk in Gotenhafen -- Holtring committed suicide, but not before killing an ill seaman who begged him to do so.”

Three other books also tell their version of this action, but due to space constraints, we will print more of them next month. DICK, many thanks for the update information.

More 'Gangster'

The 'Gangster' [KTB 107]
Update on The 'Gangster' [KTB 108]
Another Update on The 'Gangster' [KTB 109]