KLAUS BARGSTEN

KLAUS BARGSTEN (328-1987) has begun his Eternal Patrol. He was I.W.O. on U-99 under KRETSCHMER (122-+-1987) then got command of U-521. He earned the Knights Cross, and whenever SILENT OTTO talked to me of BARGSTEN, he always had the highest praise for him as a man and as an officer.

Captain BARGSTEN had cheated death many times before but probably the most notable time was on 2 June 1943 when U-521 was off the east coast of the US. They were surprised by the US Navy sub chaser PC 565 which dropped depth charges and scored a perfect hit on U-521, which was running submerged at the time. When a submerged submarine is hit by depth charges, it is almost always fatal for all on board the boat. The angels were watching out for Captain BARGSTEN on that occasion because the submarine burst open and a huge bubble of air carried him to the surface, the sole survivor of the sinking of U-521.

I think he has already reported on board again with his old Skipper, Silent OTTO, and they are now with the others from U-99 and U-521.

Sail on in peace Captain BARGSTEN.

Bargsten Anecdote

One time when I visited with OTTO KRETSCHMER, he told me of one night surface attack. I.W.O. BARGSTEN was not looking at the target ship, so OTTO hit him square in the back and said: “Herr Bargsten - you will please look at the target ship.”

When BARGSTEN transferred off the boat, OTTO overheard him say to the new I.W.O. who was taking his place, “Watch out for the Captain - he hits!”

There are only five members of the crew of U-99 still living.

HEINZ HARMEL

The information and photo below comes to us from STEVE SHOCK (2213-A/LIFE-1992). Thanks STEVE.

Brigadeführer und Generalmajor von der Waffen SS HEINZ HARMEL (3985-1994) has begun his Eternal Patrol, actually on 2 September 2000. He was awarded the Knights Cross with Oak Leaf and Crossed Swords and also the German Cross in Gold. He was just past his 94th birthday. Fair winds to you General.