Bootsmaat Peter Binnefeld's Photos of U-604
| These photos were generously provided by Mr. Peter Binnefeld whose father, Bootsmaat Peter Binnefeld, was a Coxswain aboard U-604. Bootsmaat Binnefeld was transferred to U-185 when U-604 was scuttled on August 11, 1943 and transferred to U-172 three days later. He finally arrived at Lorient, France on September 7, 1943. Binnefeld was subsequently assigned to U-873. That boat surrendered to U.S. forces at Portsmouth, New Hampshire on May 16, 1945. Binnefeld finished the war as a POW in Cornwall, England. |
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U-604's commissioning ceremony at the Blohm & Voss shipyard, Hamburg, January 8, 1942. Kapitänleutnant Horst Höltring makes remarks to his crew before the flag is raised for the first time. |
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U-604 returns from her second patrol patrol at Brest, France, November 5, 1942. Kapitänleutnant Lehmann-Willenbrock commander of the 9th U-boat Flottilla exchanges a salute with Kapitänleutnant Horst Höltring. |
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Watchstanders aboard U-604. Bootsmaat Binnefeld is the sailor on the lower right. |
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While supplies and personnel were being transferred from U-604 to U-185 and U-172 on August 11, 1943, the boats were attacked by a PB4Y-1 of VB-107. The aircraft made two runs, dropping four depth bombs and strafing. Aboard U-172, one man was killed and several were wounded. With her A/A guns out of order, U-172 submerged leaving U-604 and U-185 on the surface. After the second run the aircraft was seen to wobble and then crash into the sea. Survivors of U-185 claim to have shot the aircraft down. The photograph shows U-604, the PB4Y-1 and explosions from the depth bombs. |
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U-604 crewmembers are transferred from U-185 to U-172 on August 16, 1943. |