Previous Interview with Topp (KTB 160)

SHARKHUNTERS: Why did (Grossadmiral) Dönitz send subs out on hopeless missions, during the end of the war?

ERICH TOPP: Well, his answer is that there were many planes that were covering the Atlantic and many very long range planes and planes off ships and he said, we have to keep these flotillas of airplanes over the Atlantic, so that they cannot additionally attack German towns. And that was his answer to that, so he said, even if I have to sacrifice submarines, we have to do that to prevent that all these thousands of planes additionally sent to Germany.

SHARKHUNTERS: Do you think it was right to keep sending the subs out?

ERICH TOPP: Well, it is easy after the war to, as I already said, to have critics, and anyhow, it was the way they first went to multiply the air defense on submarine to have several anti air guns there, was wrong. Certainly, that was wrong. The other way to invent the snorkel that was right, to have a homing torpedo, that was right. And from my point of view after these big losses, they should have reduced the amount of submarines going into the Atlantic. And only to have some submarines to keep this mantle of airplanes there over the Atlantic but not so many submarines. Reduce the number I should like to say, but it is always easy to attack those who are responsible.

SHARKHUNTERS: Did the men in the submarines know how dangerous it was?

ERICH TOPP: Well, certainly they knew that, but nevertheless, we had, even until the end of the war, we had always volunteers who wanted to participate in this struggle. Because, you know, submariners were an elite group and they consider themselves to be members of an elite group. And therefore, many wanted to, even at that time, they wanted to participate.

SHARKHUNTERS: Did they know how dangerous it was?

ERICH TOPP: Well, of course they knew that - that it was dangerous, because when they were outside, you know, there was a contact between the center of the submarines and the boats that were operating outside, and of course they could listen to when a boat would not answer - wouldn’t give an answer. So, in many cases, they knew that there were a lot of losses. They knew that, but nevertheless they did their duty.

SHARKHUNTERS: Are you proud that you served on a German U-boat?

ERICH TOPP: Well, it was a great experience I have had. It was a human experience - leadership on board of a submarine, comradeship on board of a submarine. It’s unique and I wouldn’t like to miss that, and even nowadays, we are coming together with a crew of my boat, we are meeting every year, and that is a comradeship for life.

SHARKHUNTERS: Do you think of friends that you lost during the war?

ERICH TOPP: Well, my best friend was Endrass. I was operating in the Atlantic when I heard that the center of the submarines was asking for Endrass - he didn’t answer. They were asking again, no answer. Then I knew that, well, that he was lost and that was a great loss to me personally, because we have been together in France, in Paris. We had our female friends and we had been living together, and it was a wonderful life, when we were in the harbor. And so I was - I felt, I felt absolutely alone now. And so I wrote down what I felt at this moment when I knew that he didn’t come back, and that is written in a book, and it mirrors my feelings.

SHARKHUNTERS: Can you tell me what you wrote down?

ERICH TOPP: Well, it is written down, but I cannot - I cannot say personally in words, what I have written down, but it mirrors my soul at that time.

SHARKHUNTERS: What feelings do you have about those men lost?

ERICH TOPP: Well, it was a high percentage of submariners that lost their lives, more than any other part of the Army, of the Air Force, of the Navy - we had a high percentage. But of course, I miss - I have lost many friends because I was Chief of the Tactic of Flotilla. And many of those who went at sea were passing my Flotilla, so I know - I knew a lot of them. And then, knowing that they didn’t come back - it was a disaster that I’ve hated.

SHARKHUNTERS: Do you think what they did had to be done?

ERICH TOPP: Well, I think everybody has the power inside to say, I want to survive, I want to have success, and whatever happens, whatever - and even if the situation is bad and the enemy is powerful and we have to face very difficult situations but I think, there was no lack of will to come to a success.

SHARKHUNTERS: Do you pay respect to those men today?

ERICH TOPP: Well, I can only say that I don’t know all of the men who got lost, but - and I don’t think my feelings cannot think of all those who got lost. But, a few as, for instance Endrass or others, I’m missing them now and I always am thinking of them, and I don’t forget them. And so this comradeship is encompassing everyone who has been participating in this submarine warfare, and I don’t forget it.

SHARKHUNTERS: Why did these men become such comrades and friends?

ERICH TOPP: Because we have spent part of our life in a very dangerous situation, and we had always to balance on a very thin line between life and death. That has bound us together, and when you compare it with the matrionistic life we have today, then you see the difference of that life, and of the life today. It cannot be compared, and therefore, we will never forget it.

This ends the interview with ERICH TOPP (118-LIFE-1985). In KTB #162 next month, we begin the interview with Vice Admiral HORST von SCHROETER (5430-LIFE-1997), Knights Cross and Skipper of U-123. Remember, you can have copies of these interviews in their entirety. Check your Magalog (KTB #156) or go on line at www.sharkhunters.com for the most up-to-the-minute information on these videotapes.

This interview with ERICH TOPP was conducted in 2000 by MIKE MATHIS (6063-2000) for ROB LIHANI (5989-2000) and the production company Digital Ranch. This was part of the History Channel’s presentation called ‘Dangerous Missions - the U-Boats’. It is available in its entirety from SHARKHUNTERS.