I have recently received an excellent original photo album containing 137 photos ( all related to service on U-108 ) . Album which belonged to a crew member who served on U-108 from date of commissioning through to 1942 .... Mirroring the service period of its commander Kptlt. Klaus Scholtz. ( knights cross / oakleaves )
During the command of Klaus Scholtz ... U108 sank 26 ships ( 135, 366 tonnes ) making Scholtz and U-108 one of the most "successful" U-boats of WW2 .
The album is special for several reasons ...it is very well captioned , nearly all the crew are named and pictured individually and in groups . There are around 10 original photos of Commander Klaus Scholtz ..including a nice snap shot of him reading a book in his bunk . A further 16 rare photos were taken inside u-boat .
There are 10 photos which show 2 ships under attack ..British steamer Effna and Norwegian Tanker Norland . 9 photos show surviving crew of sunken ship being given supplies by the crew of U-108 ...captain onboard being questioned and then given details of direction of nearest land .
4 of the u-boats crew named / photographed went on to command their own u-boats ..3 of these men eventually died in their respective u-boats .
I will add low resolution images of this album to this thread in the coming weeks ...it would be interesting hear your comments and see any other photos of the crew from this period that may exist ....I would especially like to know more about the albums owner .. Ob.Mech. Willi Wilke ... what he did before and after his service on U-108 .... I know there are many well informed individuals on this forum , I'm hoping someone will be able and willing to help .
many thanks
jim
[www.throughtheireyes2.co.uk]