Dietrich von der ESCH,

born 31 January 1915 at Charlottenberg, Berlin. Seconded to the Luftwaffe October 1936 to September 1940, then to U-Boat Training October 1940 to April 1941 and U-Boat Commander’s Course at the 24th U- Bootflottille April 1941 until June 1941. He served as Watch Officer on U-98 from June 1941 until August 1941, then Baubelehrung 8.KLA from August 1941 to September 1941. He was C.O. of U-586 from September 1941 to 30 September 1943 and was promoted to Kapitänleutnant on 1 April 1942. He was acting Commander of U-606 from 14 to 26 September 1942 then Baubelehrung 6.KLA from October 1943 to November 1943. He was posted to Skipper of U-863 on 3 November 1943 until 29 April 1944. He was KIA on 29 September 1944 east of Recife, Brazil.

Fritz FABRICIUS

born 18 May 1919 at Fedderwarden-Groden in Frisia, Class of 1937b. He was in Officer Training October 1937 until March 1940, then to Flying School at Bug April 1940 until September 1940; Flieger-Erganzungsgruppe October 1940 to January 1941. Was Ship’s aircrew Bordfliegerstaffel 1./196 January 1941 to June 1943 then to U-Boat training July 1943 to January 1944, course at the 23rd U-Bootflottille January 1944 to April 1944. Comp Officer 7 (NCO) Training Division April 1944 to July 1944. Was posted to command U-637 from 21 July 1944 to 30 September 1944. 1.UAA October 1944 to December 1944, Baubelehrung Commander U-1028 which was never commissioned, from February 1945 until the end of the war. Promoted to Kapitänleutnant 1 January 1945. Freed 17 August 1945.

Helmut FEIHN

born 19 February 1916 at Königsberg, Neumark Brandenburg, Class of 1935. Seconded to Luftwaffe November 1937 to August 1941 then to U-Boat Training August 1941 to December 1941. Was I.W.O. on U-67 January 1942 to August 1942, then to U-Boat Commander’s Course 24th U-Bootflottille September 1942. Baubelehrung 6.KLA September 1942 to October 1942. Promoted to Kapitänleutnant 1 July 1942. Was Commander of U-191 from 20 October 1942 to 23 April 1943, when that boat was lost SE of Cape Farewell.

Hans-Joachim FORSTER

born 20 February 1920 at Gross-Koris, Teltow, northern Potsdam, Class of 1938. Officer Training October 1939 to April 1940. Mine clearance ship 11 May 1940 to September 1940 in the Baltic and North Seas. To the Observer’s Course Naval Signals School Dievenow/Wollin September 1940 to October 1940, then Observer Flight Training – Aircraft Weapons (sea) School at Parow October 1940 to November 1940. Promoted to Oberleutnant zur See 1 April 1943. He was Platoon Leader Destroyer and Torpedo Boat Crews’ Holding Division at Swinemünde December 1940 to January 1941. Flak School course Misdroy January 1941 to February 1941. Destroyer and Torpedo Boat Crews’ Holding Division at Swinemünde February 1941 to April 1941 and Platoon Officer Swinemünde April 1941 to June 1941. Baubelehrung destroyer Z-29 in June 1941, II.W.O. on that destroyer July 1941 to October 1941 then to the course Torpedo School at Flensburg-Mürwik October 1941 to November 1941. II.W.O. and Torpedo Officer aboard destroyer Z-29 December 1941 to June 1941. To U-Boat Training July 1942 to December 1942 when he was posted as I.W.O. on U-380 until May 1943. U-Boat Commander’s Course, 2.UAA and 24th U-Bootflottille May 1943 to July 1943 – was promoted to Oberleutnant zur See 1 April 1943. U-Boat Commander’s Torpedo Course 2.UAA and 24th U-Bootflottille May 1943 to July 1943, Course #49. Assigned to Commanding Admiral, U-Boats in July 1943. Baubelehrung Nordseewerke in Emden at U-348 July 1943 to August 1943; Baubelehrung 1.KLA/5th U-Bootflottille U-479 Aug. 1943; Baubelehrung1.KLA (U-480) August 1943 to October 1943. Commander of U-480 from 6 October 1943 to 24 February 1945 when the boat was lost in the English Channel SW of Land’s End.

WWII Vom Seeflieger Zum U-bootfahrer From Naval Aviator to Submariner [KTB 170]
WWII Vom Seeflieger Zum U-bootfahrer From Naval Aviator to Submariner [KTB 172]
WWII Vom Seeflieger Zum U-bootfahrer From Naval Aviator to Submariner [KTB 173]
WWII Vom Seeflieger Zum U-bootfahrer From Naval Aviator to Submariner [KTB 174]