File No. CL4/A8
           Serial 003                                     U. S. S.  OMAHA  
     
                                                                                              c/o Fleet Post Office,  
                                                                                              New York, New York.  
                                                                       
                                                                                             11 February 1944.  
     
 
From: Commanding Officer.
To: Commander FOURTH Fleet.
Via: Commander Cruiser Division TWO.
   
Subject: Preliminary Report on German Prisoners of War from German Submarine.
   
Reference: (a)  OpNav conf. ltr. Op-16-F-9, A16-2(4), (SC) A16-2(3),
         Ser. 01227316, 19 May 1942.
   
Enclosure: (A)  List of Prisoners' Names.
 
     
          1.        In compliance with paragraph 2(m) of reference (a), the following preliminary report is submitted:  
     
          (a)  At 1615 Zebra on 8 February 1944, fourteen (14) German prisoners of war, as listed in enclosure (A) were picked up in Lat. 10-28 S Long 24-16 W.  They had been adrift in a rubber life raft, which had been dropped by the attacking plane, for fifty-four (54) hours.  During this time the raft had drifted sixty-three (63) miles on course 276T, a rate of 1.17 knots.  
     
          (b)  All of the prisoners were suffering from sunburn and immersion foot and several from slight bruises and cuts.  All were taken to the ship's sick bay and treated immediately.  All are now well on the road to full recovery.  A detailed report of their medical treatment will be enclosed in the final report.  
     
          (c)  The prisoners had no personal effects except the clothing they were wearing.  Most of them almost naked, except for short drawers or bathing trunks, indicating that they may have been sun bathing or swimming when the attack on the submarine occurred.  Four (4) of the prisoners had their hair clipped.  One of the prisoners was heard to remark that they had had crossing-the-line initiations at the equator.  There were no identification marks or papers on any of the prisoners, except one who had an identification disc.  It wa necessary to accept the word of the prisoners in compiling enclosure (A).  
     
          (d)  The second officer, Lieutenant Brodt, volunteered the information that the submarine sank immediately after the first depth charge attack and that the captain went down with the ship.  He stated that there were no other survivors except those picked up by this vessel.  
 
 
 
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  File No. CL4/A8
           Serial 003                                     U. S. S.  OMAHA  
     
                                                                                                      11 February 1944.  
     
  Subject:        Preliminary Report on German Prisoners of War from German Submarine.  
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          (e)  The provisions of reference (a) have been strictly complied with.  There has been no communication between the officer, petty officer and enlisted prisoners since they have been on board.  
     
          2.        A supplementary report will be submitted listing all personal effects and medical records of the prisoners, after arrival in port.  
     
     
                                                                                         
                                                                                             C. D.  LEFFLER.  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
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  File No.
                                                         U. S. S.  OMAHA  
     
                                                                               8 February 1944.  
     
  List of German prisoners picked up this date:  
     
  Leutnant Hans-Otto BRODT                       (second officer in command of submarine)  
     
  Leutnant Christian SCHMIDT                      (third officer in command of submarine)  
     
  PETTY OFFICERS:  
     
  Oberbootsmaat Erich DITTKOWSKI, U.O. 183/39s  
  Sanitätsmaat Johanes KUBASCHEWSKI, O.N. 11271/40S  
     
  CREW:  
     
  Matrosen Obergefreiter  Berthold BOHR, U.S. 12455/42S  
          "                   "        Wilhelm BALS, U.O. 972/41S  
          "                   "        Hans FRANK, U.O. 18351/41S  
          "                   "        Kurt BARTSCH, U.O. 19452/41S  
     
  Matrose Gefreiter  Herman STEMMLER, U.N. 70164/42  
          "               "    Hellmut ROCH, U.N. 21671/41S  
          "               "    Willibald WINTER, U.O. 41475/42S  
     
  Funk Obergefreiter  Ejon ELVERS, 6418/41T  
     
  Mechanik(A) Gefreiter  Heinz HEINKE, U.O. 66141/42T  
     
  Maschinen Obergefreiter Helmut  PIEFER, U.N. 20989/41T  
     
                                   2  officers.  
                                   2  petty officers.  
                                 10  non-rated men.  
     
  Enclosure (A)  
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
     
  A8                                UNITED STATES ATLANTIC FLEET                 jlk
  Serial 0015                     COMMANDER CRUISER DIVISION TWO  
 
c/o Fleet Post Office,
 
 
New York, N. Y.,
 
 
11 February 1944.
 
     
  SECRET  
     
  FIRST ENDORSEMENT to  
  CO OMAHA Secret ltr.  
  CL4/A8 Serial 003 of  
  11 February 1944.  
     
 
From: The Commander Cruiser Division TWO.
To: The Commander FOURTH FLEET.
   
Subject: Preliminary Report on German Prisoners of War from German Submarine.
   
Reference: (a)  ComCruDiv TWO Conf. ltr. A16-3(1) Serial 042 of 11 February 1944.
 
     
          1.        Forwarded.  A full and complete report will be made on arrival in port.  
     
          2.        On 8 February 1944, Task Group 41.1 consisting of U.S.S. OMAHA, U.S.S. MEMPHIS, and U.S.S. JOUETT, Commander Task Force 41 in OMAHA were conducting air and surface search operations for submarine survivors.  
     
                     At 1625Z the JOUETT sighted a rubber life raft containing the survivors about 5 miles dead ahead of the formation.  The OMAHA was directed by Commander Task Force 41 to recover survivors which she did at 1645Z.  
     
          3.        A detailed report covering the search and recovery of the survivors is being submitted by Commander Cruiser Division TWO as reference (a).  
     
          4.        Authority is hereby granted to transmit this correspondence by registered mail within the jurisdiction of the United States Mail and the Navy Postal Service.  
     
     
                                                                                       
                                                                                                     O. M. READ.  
     
  Copy to:  
          CO OMAHA  
     
     
     
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
  File No. CL4/A8
           Serial 004                                     U. S. S.  OMAHA  
     
                                                                                              c/o Fleet Post Office,  
                                                                                              New York, New York.  
                                                                       
                                                                                             11 February 1944.  
 
 
 
From: Commanding Officer.
To: Commander FOURTH Fleet.
Via: Commander Cruiser Division TWO.
   
Subject: Supplementary Report on German Prisoners of War.
   
Reference: (a)  U.S.S. OMAHA Secret Ltr. CL4/A8 Ser. 003 of 11 Feb. 1944.
   
Enclosure: (A)  List Personal Possessions of Prisoners of War.
  (B)  Medical Report on Prisoners of War.
 
 
 
 
        1.        Supplementing reference (a) enclosures (A) and (B) are forwarded herewith.
 
 
 
 
        2.        The personal possessions listed in enclosure (A), tagged with the owner's name, will be delivered to the proper authorities under separate cover, upon arrival in port.
 
 
 
 
        3.        One of the prisoners, ELVERS, was heard to remark that thirty (30) of the officers and crew of the submarine lost their lives.  If this is true the complement of the boat was forty-four (44 officers and men, which would indicate that the boat is a 740 ton class.
 
 
 
 
        4.        ELVERS speaks fairly good English.
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                                    
 
 
                                                                                          C. D. LEFFLER.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
  File No. CL4/A8
           Serial 003                                     U. S. S.  OMAHA  
     
                                                                                                      11 February 1944.  
 
 
 
        The following is a list of personal effects belonging to German prisoners, as indicated.  Gear has been wrapped separately and is tagged with appropriate names.
 
 
 
 
Lt. BRODT 1 undershirt
  1 shorts
  1 swimming trunks
   
Lt. SCHMIDT Nothing.
   
Erich DITTKOWSKI 1 undershirt
  1 swimming trunks
  1 pr. sun glasses
   
Johanes KUBASCHEWSKI 1 handkerchief
  1 shorts
  1 swimming trunks
  1 identification tag
  1 identification folder
  1 pr. sun glasses
   
Berthold BOHR 1 brown shirt
  1 brown shorts
  1 swim trunks
  3 keys
  1 belt in brown shorts
   
Wilhelm BALS 1 right shoe
  1 swim trunks
   
Hans FRANK 1 swim trunks
  1 knitted waistband (Marked "Hassler")
   
Kurt BARTSCH 1 shorts
  1 brown shirt
  1 neckerchief
  1 cloth belt
   
Heinz HEINKE 1 brown shorts
   
Egon ELVERS 1 shorts
  1 canvas belt, with insignia on buckle
  1 bunch of 4 keys tagged #196
 
 
 
 
                                                                                                Enclosure (A)  (1)
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
  File No. CL4/A8
           Serial 003                                     U. S. S.  OMAHA  
     
                                                                                                      11 February 1944.  
 
 
 
(List of personal effects of German prisoners of war - cont'd.)
  
 
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Helmut PIEFER Nothing.
   
Herman STEMMLER Nothing.
   
Hellmut ROCH 1 pr. shoes
  1 knitted waistband
  1 pr. swimming trunks
   
Willibald WINTER 1 brown shorts (with belt)
  1 knitted waistband
  1 shorts
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
                                                                                             Enclosure (A)  (2)
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
U. S. S. OMAHA
 
                                                                     c/o Fleet Post Office, New York, N.Y.
 
 
                                                                      11 February, 1944.
 
 
 
 
Medical Report of Prisoners of War.
 
 
 
 
Lieut.  C.K. Schmidt
 
 
 
 
        Lacerated wound of upper lip.  Moderate sunburn.  Multiple small lacerations of right knee, toes and fingers of left hand.  Feet - circulation good.
 
 
 
 
Lieut H.C. Brodt
 
 
 
 
        Small lacerated wound of chin.  Contusions ands abrasions, multiple.  Moderate sunburn.  Moderate immersion foot.  Slight swelling and wrinkling of skin.  Swelling subsided in 24 hrs.  Circulation good.  Heart and lungs normal.  Large abrasion anterior surface of right thigh.
 
 
 
 
Dittkowski, E.
 
 
 
 
        Small lacerated wounds of left hand and right leg (anterior aspect).  Contusions and abrasions of back over right scapula.  Mild sunburn of feet.  Circulation good.
 
 
 
 
Kubaschewski, J.
 
 
 
 
        Moderate sunburn.  Feet circulation good.  Abrasion of nose.  Two small lacerated wounds, dorsum of both feet.  In good condition.
 
 
 
 
Bals, W.
 
 
 
 
        Moderate sunburn of forearms, arms, nose and shoulders.  Contact burn of right costo vertebral area.  Moderate sunburn of thighs.  Feet in good condition.  Small lacerated wound of left hand.  Multiple small lacerations of legs.
 
 
 
 
Bartsch, K.
 
 
 
 
        First degree burn of both anterior and posterior surface of legs, thighs, and feet.  Face and forehead sunburned.  Multiple small lacerations of left forearm and left leg.  Laceration of right glutial area.  General condition good.
 
 
 
  Bohr, B.
 
 
 
 
        Contusion of skin above and below left eye and abrasion.  Small laceration of left hand and right forearm.  First degree sunburn of both legs.
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                                                            Enclosure B.  (1)
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
U. S. S. OMAHA
 
 
 
Medical Report of Prisoners of War.  (continued)
 
 
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Elvers, E.
 
 
 
 
        Laceration of left shoulder.  Arms, legs and back badly sunburned.  Large laceration just below left patella.  Considerable drainage of free pus.  Large amount of slough in wound.  Prepatellar bursa involved.  No connection with joint.  Patellar tendon not exposed.  Edges of wound undermined.  Three incisions made with through and through rubber dam drainage.  Wound irrigated with H2O2, followed by saline.  Posterior splint applied.  Continuous wet dressings with azochlormide.  Pentothal Sodium anesthesia used.
 
 
        This patient will need hospitalization.
 
 
 
 
Frank, H.
 
 
 
 
        First degree sunburn of back, shoulders, arms and anterior aspect of both thighs.  Multiple small lacerations and abrasions of both feet and legs.  General condition good.
 
 
 
 
Heinike, H.
 
 
 
 
        Moderate sunburn of back and shoulders.  Small laceration over right patella and left lower leg.  Abrasions left lower 1/3 leg.  Small lacerations of right wrist.  Moderate sunburn anterior surface of legs and thighs.  General condition good.
 
 
 
 
Piefer, H.
 
 
 
 
        Forehead, nose, shoulders and arms sunburned.  2 large lacerations of right leg.  Multiple small lacerations anterior surface of left leg and left gluteal area.  Also 3 small lacerations of right gluteal area.  Very weak and shaken.  Much improved in last 24 hours.
 
 
 
 
Roch, H.
 
 
 
 
        Abrasion of nose and left ear.  Multiple small lacerated wounds of both legs.  Feet in good condition.  Bad sunburn of back and shoulders.  Heart and lungs normal.  General condition good.
 
 
 
 
Stemmler, H.
 
 
 
 
        Moderate sunburn shoulders, back and anterior surface of thighs.  Occasional small lacerations of legs.  General condition good.
 
 
 
 
                                                                                             Enclosure B.  (2)
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
U. S. S. OMAHA
 
 
 
Medical Report of Prisoners of War.  (continued)
 
 
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Winter, W.
 
 
 
 
        Multiple lacerations of knees, ankles and left hand.  Feet in good condition.  Mild sunburn.  General condition very good.
 
 
 
 
 
 
        These patients will all need some medical attention.  However only one, E. Elvers, will need hospitalization.
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                                             
 
 
                                                                                                    G. W. SIMPSON,
 
 
                                                                                             Commander, (MC, U.S.N.R.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                                                  Enclosure B.  (3)
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
     
  A8                                UNITED STATES ATLANTIC FLEET                 jlk
  Serial 0016                     COMMANDER CRUISER DIVISION TWO  
 
c/o Fleet Post Office,
 
 
New York, N. Y.,
 
 
13 February 1944.
 
     
  SECRET  
     
  FIRST ENDORSEMENT to  
  CO OMAHA Secret ltr.  
  CL4/A8 Serial 004 of  
  11 February 1944.  
     
 
From: The Commander Cruiser Division TWO.
To: The Commander FOURTH FLEET.
   
Subject: Supplementary Report on German Prisoners of War.
 
     
          1.        Forwarded.  
     
     
                                                                                       
                                                                                                     O. M. READ.