Refer to No.
DISTRICT INTELLIGENCE OFFICE
 
A9-8/B-3/FHW/ND5
FIFTH NAVAL DISTRICT
 
                paw
Naval Operating Base
 
 
Norfolk, Virginia
 
CONFIDENTIAL
April 17, 1942
 
 
 
From: Lieutenant Frederic H. Williams, USNR.
To: Commander Charles J. Gass, USNR.
   
SUBJECT: Sinking of German Submarine U-85, disposition of bodies and effects, report on.
   
Enclosure: (A)  Photographs of bodies as received from USS ROPER.
 
 
 
 
        1.        At 1600, April 14, 1942, twenty-nine bodies of German naval seamen from the sunken submarine U-85 were transferred from the USS ROPER, which picked them up, to the USS SCIOTO for further transfer to the Naval Operating Base, Norfolk, Virginia.  The transfer was affected off Cape Henry, Virginia.
 
 
 
 
        2.        Commander Stanley C. NORTON, USN., Commanding Destroyer Division 54, and Lieutenant Commander Hamilton W. HOWE, USN., were interviewed aboard the Roper.  At that time a rough draft of the ship's official report of the sinking of the submarine and the recovery of the bodies was obtained.  It is set forth herewith and made a part of this report:
 
     
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A9/DD147
  
 
Serial 09                                                                                                              April 14, 1942.
 
C O N F I D E N T I A L
 
From: Commanding Officer.
To: Commandant, Fifth Naval District.
   
Via: Commander, Inshore Patrol.
   
Subject: Destruction of German submarine, report of.
 
 
 
          1.        On the night of April 13-14 at 0006 in latitude 35-55 N., longitude 75-15 W. this vessel while on course 1820 T. at speed 18 knots made a radar contact bearing 1900 T., range 2700 yards which was of the type which could have been a submarine.  Decision was made to investigate and the ship was  
     
 
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brought to 1930 T.  The range decreased very slowly, but the bearing drawing to the left.  At the time the range became 2100 yards a wake and a small silhouette were noted.  The vessel appeared to be running away.  The high speed of the vessel was the chief cause for belief that it might be a submarine.  The speed of ROPER was increased to 20 knots, and it was possible to gain slowly at this speed.  A position very slightly on the starboard quarter was maintained as the vessel successively changed to about 1750 T., 1550 T., 1350 T., and 1150 T.  With the range reduced to about 700 the track of a torpedo was noted passing close aboard down the port side.
                  When the range had decreased to 300 yards the vessel cut sharply to starboard.  At this instant, by use of the searchlight, the vessel was identified as a submarine.  The submarine continued to turn to starboard, inside the turning circle of this ship.  The 24" searchlight was played upon the submarine and fire was opened first with the machine gun battery and then with the 3" battery.  The machine guns, particularly #1, cut down Germans rushing to man their gun.  A direct hit in the conning tower at about the waterline was made by #5 - 3" gun as the submarine commenced to sink.
 
 
 
                  The submarine apparently was scuttled as she settled slowly stern first.  About forty of her crew were on deck and sighted in the water.
 
 
 
 
                  A depth charge attack based on an excellent sound contact in the apparent position of the submarine was made.  An eleven charge pattern was dropped, on course 1050 T., the bearing varying little and the speed of the submarine negligible.  No debris could be detected because of the darkness.  The situation of this vessel was considered too dangerous to permit any rescue work before daylight.
 
 
 
 
                  At 0717, April 14, 1942, the attention of this vessel was called to bodies in the water by planes, and twenty-nine bodies, at least two of which probably were officers, were recovered.  Among other things six escape lungs were found.
 
 
 
 
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Two bodies had mouth-piece tubing in their mouths, indicating escape after the submarine sank.  While picking up the bodies, a number of empty life jackets were noted.  Two additional bodies were permitted to sink after the clothing was searched by an officer in the boat.
                  At 0957 sound contact was made near the source of two large air bubbles which persisted after depth charging the area.  In view of the nearness of the bodies, and the fact that there was no movement of the object, it is believed that it is the submarine.  An orange buoy was put over about two hundred fifty yards from and with the largest air bubble bearing 2720 T.  The depth of water is believed to be 14 fathoms, the position checked as latitude 35-55N., longitude 75-19W.
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                                             H. W. HOWE
 
     
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In addition to the above report, a diagram of the movements of both vessels and action taken obtained from Commander NORTON, was reproduced and is made a part of this report as page #4.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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        3.        The USS SCIOTO arrived at the Naval Operating base at 1835 April 14, 1942, where the bodies were transferred by stretcher to a truck and thence taken to a small hangar at the Naval Air Station and placed on canvas on the floor.  Photographs of the bodies as received from the USS Roper showing clothing and life saving apparatus were taken (Enclosure (A)).
                  It was not practicable to attempt identification aboard the USS SCIOTO and an officer watch was therefore maintained to guard against pilferage.
 
 
 
                  The condition of the bodies was good.  An individual report for each body was made up and is incorporated herein and made a part of this report and are considered pages 6 to 34 inclusive.
 
 
 
 
        4.        Each body was stripped to underclothing.  A thorough search was made for personal effects which were placed in individual envelopes numbered to correspond to the serial number assigned to each body.  It was not possible to definitely determine whether or not any senior officers were in the group.  This may be later determined from papers obtained from the bodies and forwarded to the Navy Department without having been translated or studied by this office.
 
 
 
 
                  Duplicate finger-print cards were completed with available data and each card has stapled to it, either a front or profile photograph.  Each card also contains the body serial number as well as the individual's name.
 
 
 
 
                  All clothing whether removed from the bodies or picked up at sea was tagged so that each individual's effects could be easily determined.  All clothing was dried out and then wrapped in individual packages with the serial number and name of the owner marked on the outside.
 
 
 
                  Personal effects were listed and placed in envelopes with a duplicate list of the contents enclosed, all envelopes so marked as to be easily identified.
                  Personal effects, the duplicate finger-print cards duplicate list of effects and four enlarged photographs, two front and two profile in each case, were enclosed in one large envelope and sealed.  Each envelope is marked with the body serial number and the name of the individual.
 
 
 
                  Life Preserver Apparatus removed from each body has been tagged so that it may be checked by reference to enclosure (A).  Many pieces of apparatus either became separated from the body during transfer or represent pieces found in the water and brought in.  These latter are marked "EXTRA".
 
 
 
                    One envelope marked "UNIDENTIFIED PERSONAL EFFECTS". contains several items which dropped from clothing, but which cannot be identified with any particular body.  
     
 
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        5.        There was an insufficient supply of caskets available at the U.S. Naval Hospital, Portsmouth, Va., and in the Norfolk area and private undertakers could not guarantee delivery of the required number in time to be of use.  Moreover, the bodies had to be removed from the Naval Operating Base, because of the need for space which was being used.
                  Contact was established with Colonel Keith RYAN, manager, Veterans Administration, Kecoughtan, Virginia.  Colonel RYAN transferred to the Navy Department twenty-nine standard Veterans Administration specification caskets and shipping boxes from his stock.  These caskets and boxes will be billed to the Medical Corps, USN, at a price of $33.023 for each casket, and $8.134 for each shipping box.
 
 
 
        6.        Upon completion of the identification, the following crew list was made up:
 
 
 
 
1. HANSEN, O., tattooed initials "O.H." on left arm below a tattooed bird. 15. UNGETHUM,  
2. LETZIG, Jan, UO 3072 40T. 16. PRANTLE, O.
3. SCHUMACHER, Werner, O.5689/39 S. 17. ALBIG, Herbert, BO. 769/38T.
4. DEGENKOLB, Erich, N 11662/41 S. 18. SCHOEN, 8.7823/40 T.
5. PIOTROWSKI, Arthur, AB 0.1735/36 T. 19. HELLER, H.  
6. KAISER, Helmut, O.2741/37 S. 20. KIEFER.  
7. SCHULTES, Karl, O.13232/40 S. 21. STROBEL, Friedrich, O.602/35 T.
8. KLEIBRINK, Josef, N 1587/41 T. 22. WEIDMANN, Konstantin, O.1092/34T.
9. ROEDER.   23. SCHULZ,  
10. BEHLA.   24. SCHULZE, 13235/40.
11. METGE.   25. SANGER, Hans, Ing. Offz. April 1937.
12. AMMANN, Gerhard, N 8803/41 S. 26. GANZL, O. 5908/40 T.
13. ADRIAN, Heinrich, N 401/34 T. 27. HAHNEFEODT, N1669/35 T
14. WASCHMAN,   28. WAACK.  
      29 SPODDIG, Horst, N16299/40 S.
 
 
 
Each body was placed in an individual casket, which in turn was sealed in a shipping box.  When sealed the boxes were placed in trucks and transported in convoy to Hampton National Cemetery, Hampton, Virginia.  The convoy consisted of reporting officer, Lieut. A. J. BUSH, USNR, Lieut. SPLAIN, USA, Army Liaison officer, NOB, Lieut.(jg) R. A. LUNQUIST, Protestant chaplain, and a firing squad of twenty four seamen.  The convoy was met at the cemetery by Major C. P. WADE, Provost Marshal, eight senior and junior Army officers, twenty Military Police, who acted as honorary pall-bearers, and fifty-two prisoners, all from Fort Monroe, Virginia.  The prisoners prepared, and later filled in, the graves.
 
 
 
 
                  The caskets, in boxes, were taken from the trucks and placed in individual graves.  A plat was prepared showing the number of the body and the cemetery plot number.  This plat is made a part of this report, and is marked as page 36.
 
 
 
                  At 2000, April 15, 1942, the burial service was read by the Catholic Chaplin, followed by the Protestant Chaplain.  The firing party fired three volleys, and Taps was sounded.
 
 
 
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HAMPTON NAIONAL CEMETARY, HAMPTON, VIRGINIA
PLOT FOR BURIAL OF GERMAN SEAMEN, U-85
     
 
|
688
|
|
687
|
 
|
|
|
|
 
|
25
|
|
16
|
 
|
|
|
|
 
       
 
         
     
|
701
|
700
|
699
|
698
|
697
|
696
|
695
|
694
|
693
|
692
|
691
|
690
|
689
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17
|
7
|
2
|
15
|
26
|
3
|
1
|
4
|
9
|
8
|
29
|
27
|
19
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
       
 
         
     
|
714
|
713
|
712
|
711
|
710
|
709
|
708
|
707
|
706
|
705
|
704
|
703
|
702
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
6
|
14
|
28
|
5
|
20
|
23
|
24
|
22
|
18
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
       
 
         
     
|
715
 |
|
|
|
21
 |
|
|
 
 
 
 
KEY                          
Body No. - Plot - Name       Body No. - Plot - Name  
1 | 695 | HANSEN, O. |   | 16 | 687 | PRANTLE, O. |
2 | 699 | LETZIG, Jan |   | 17 | 701 | ALBIG, Herbert |
3 | 696 | SCHUMACHER, Werner |   | 18 | 702 | SCHOEN |
4 | 694 | DEGENKOLB, Erich |   | 19 | 689 | HELLER, H. |
5 | 707 | PIOTROWSKI, Artur |   | 20 | 706 | KIEFER |
6 | 710 | KAISER, Helmit |   | 21 | 715 | STROBEL, Friedrich |
7 | 700 | SCHULTES, Karl |   | 22 | 703 | WEIDMANN, Konstantin |
8 | 692 | KLEIBRINK, Josef |   | 23 | 705 | SCHULZ |
9 | 693 | ROEDER |   | 24 | 704 | SCHULZE |
10 | 714 | BEHLA |   | 25 | 688 | SANGER, Hans |
11 | 713 | METGE |   | 26 | 697 | GANZIL |
12 | 712 | AMMANN, Gerhard |   | 27 | 690 | HAHNEFEDOT |
13 | 711 | ADRIAN, Heinrich |   | 28 | 708 | WAACK |
14 | 709 | WASCHMAN |   | 29 | 691 | SPODDIG, Horst |
15 | 698 | UNGETHUM |   |   |   |   |
 
 
Burial April 15, 1942
 
 
 
 
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        7.        Every effort was made to afford proper care for each body from the time it was received until the burial.  All effects removed from the bodies were clearly marked, all fingerprint cards have descriptions and photographs, and enlarged photographs were enclosed in each envelope.  Positive identification as to ownership of property and the bodies themselves can be made at any time in the future.
        8.        A description of what appeared to be regular German submarine clothing issue is set out herewith and made a part of this report:
 
 
 
        OUTER CLOTHING:
 
 
        COAT:  Grey-green leather, wool lined, coat hip length, five buttons on each side, double breasted, ear height collar, four outside pockets, one inside pocket on left side, elastic wrist band inside sleeves.  Buttons made of metal, painted grey-green with raised anchor.
 
 
        TROUSERS:  Grey-green leather, wool lined, full length.  Five button fly, two side pockets, suspender buttons, small leather belt attached to back for size adjustment, no cuffs, no ankle elastic inside or belt outside.
 
 
 
 
        COVERALLS:
  
 
        JACKET:  Cotton twill, forest green, four button, single breasted, small turn-down collar, two outside horizontal pockets, one inside on left side.  Jacket sometimes made to button on trousers.  Swastika markings on inside of waist band.  No lining, no wrist elastic.
 
        TROUSERS:  Cotton twill to match jacket.  No lining, front fly buttons, belt loops, no ankle elastic.
        SCARF:  One blue wool scarf observed.  13"X5'; heavy wool, course knitted.
        SWEATER:  Heavy blue wool, course knitted, turtle neck.  No pockets; sleeves, waist length.
 
        SOCKS:  Coarse grey wool, reaching halfway to the knee.
 
 
        BOOTS:  Black leather, wool lined, leather sole, sometimes with cork sole between on outside of boot.
 
          SHOES:  Brown leather and canvas low shoe.  Leather tops and back with canvas upper, laced.  
     
                   All clothing underneath the apparently regulation uniform varied in type, from silk to cotton shirts, wool long underwear, to cotton shorts, extra cotton socks, regular type garters and all varied in color throughout.  The underwear was left on the bodies.  
     
          9.        All clothing, effects, life saving apparatus, and miscellaneous articles are being forwarded to the Office of Naval Intelligence, Navy Dept., Washington, D. C., promptly.  
     
     
                                                                                          Frederic H. Williams  
                                                                                          Lieutenant, USNR  
     
     
 
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