Okay, we know from OTTO KRETSCHMER (122-+-1985) that the white Commander's hat was not issue, but was more or less a tradition. OTTO himself refused to wear one because it was not regulation. He was a very correct man.

Now we learn from HELMUT SCHMOECKEL (1455-LIFE-1990), Skipper of U-802, that this is true also for the men. He says: "Sometimes, you see sailors with white hats. This means photos before the war. In wartime the German Navy had only blue hats - with the exception of commanding officers, but only on board, not ashore."

HELMUT also commented on the documentary we put together for the History Channel, made by Digital Ranch. He said: "It is a fine fair film about the U-Boat War and I am very grateful for it I am glad to have such a fine documentation of the war."

Bulletin Board News

No White Hats
USS Sea Robin/USS Sea Devil
Candidate Hess
Ford Accused of Using Nazi Slave Labor
Saburo Sakai and Lyndon Johnson
Collins Class Problems?
Kelso has New Post
Fred Saw Bismarck!