Funkmaat Georg Seitz's Photos of U-604

These photos were generously provided by Funkmaat Georg Seitz through Mr. Peter Binnefeld. Funkmaat Seitz was a radioman aboard U-604. Seitz 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. Seitz was subsequently assigned to U-873. That boat surrendered to U.S. forces at Portsmouth, New Hampshire on May 16, 1945. Seitz finished the war as a POW in Cornwall, England.

 

Type II U-boats

Type II boats lying allongside accomodation ships. Probably of the 21st Flotilla in Pillau, Germany.

 

Meeting with UA

The Batiray was under construction for the Turkish Navy when the war started. Instead of being transferred to the Turkish Navy she was commissioned in the German Navy. Initially, the Germans named her Optimist but this was changed to the designation UA on 21 Sept, 1939.

This meeting took place for training purposes during U-604's workups in the Baltic.

Rendezvous with UA. Closing up to pass a line

Line is passed in preparation for the transfer of fuel and supplies. The crewman to the right of the photographer is using the "Flüsstertütte" (megaphone) to communicate with crewmen aboard UA.

 

U-604's arrives in Brest, France after her second war patrol to West African waters on November 5, 1942

Funkmaat Georg Seitz looks ashore as line handlers prepare for arrival in Brest.

Crewmembers pose for the camera as U-604 enters port. Georg Seitz is the sailor with the X over his head. Bootsmaat Peter Binnefeld is immediately to his right.

 

Crewmembers pose as U-604 enters port. Georg Seitz is the second sailor from the left.

Line handlers prepare for docking as U-604 enters port

Crewmembers crowd the Wintergarten as U-604 enters port. Georg Seitz is the sailor on the left.

Funkmaat Georg Seitz wearing the Laughing Sawfish cap emblem of the 9th Flotilla. The emblems can be seen painted on the boat's conning tower above his head.

U-604's crew forms up on deck as the boat enters port. Georg Seitz is the first sailor on the left.

U-604 ready for docking

U-604 returns from her second war patrol. Kapitänleutnant Lehmann-Willenbrock commander of the 9th U-boat Flottilla, waits as U-604 approaches the dock. Three victory pennants fly from her periscope signifying three ships sunk on this cruise.

Kapitänleutnant Horst Höltring salutes Kapitänleutnant Lehmann-Willenbrock, commander of the 9th U-boat Flottilla. The boats commissioning pennant flys from the flag pole.

The crew is presented with flowers by the Werftangehörige (yardworkers). These women worked at the yard offices or elsewhere in Brest. Funkmaat Georg Seitz is the sailor with the x over his head. Bootsmaat Peter Binnefeld is the sailor with the box under his arm.

(L to R) Kapitänleutnant Hans Stock (Commander of U-659) whose boat participated in the attack on convoy SL-125 and returned to port in company with U-604, U-604's Chief Engineer, Oberleutnant (Ing.) Helmut Jürgens and Kapitänleutnant Horst Höltring discuss the patrol. Kapitänleutnant Lehmann-Willenbrock stands behind Stock

Kapitänleutnant Horst Höltring followed by Kapitänleutnant Stock proceed ashore as Kapitänleutnant Lehmann-Willenbrock looks on.

U-604 (on the right), U-659 (on the left) and U-409 (approaching). All three boats participated in the attack on convoy SL-125 and returned to Brest in company.

(L - R) U-604, U-659 and U-409

 

Meeting with U-459 in the North Atlantic on February 27, 1943 during U-604's 4th war patrol

Rendezvous with U-459. U-604 took on spare parts and glasses from U-459 in grid square BD5777.

 

U-604 spaces and crewmembers

U-604's Chief Engineer, Oberleutnant (Ing.) Helmut Jürgens

"Smutje" (slang for the cook) loading provisions

Control Room

Electric Motor Room

The Gefechtsrudergänger (combat planesman), Matrosengefreiter Werner Beher, in the Conning Tower above the Control Room

Funkgefreiter (radioman) Walter Lux in the Sound Room

The commander, Höltring, performs a minor repair

The Tiefenruderganger (planesman) in the Control Room

ALARMTAUCHEN! (alarm) Planesmen in the Control Room as U-604 crash dives

First Watch Officer Oberleutnant z. See Von Rothkirch in the Control Room while cruising submerged. Von Rothkirch later became the commander of U-717 making one patrol in the Baltic in Autum 1944.