From the information sent by WERNER K. HOFFMANN (327-LIFE-1987) we learn that U-1224 departed for Japan with an all Japanese crew, since this boat was also called Ro-501 by the I.J.N. In addition to the Japanese crew, there were three Germans on board as well as torpedoes, aircraft motors and various other new technology. The Germans were a radio officer, a navigator and a C.P.O. Machinist. She did not make it past the Cape Verde Islands, as the destroyer escort USS FRANCIS M. ROBERTSON (DE 220) sank her with depth charges. All hands were lost.

Above is a copy of the commissioning paper, showing the flags of the Kriegsmarine and the I.J.N. Along the left-hand side of the page, there is a lengthy dedication in Japanese and along the right-hand side is a dedication in German.

This ends our feature on Far-East boats. Vielen dank, WERNER.