Wartime Service, Promotions and Decorations

Oblt. z.S. Herbert Mumm - 15 Jan 43 at the conclusion of U-354's second war patrol

 

Herbert Mumm's wartime service is summarized below.

 

  Date Activity/Command Location
 
  3 Sep 20 Born Pahlen, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
       
  16 Sep 39 Offiziersanwärter  
       
  19 Sep - 29-Nov 39 General military training with the 7. Schiffsstammabteilung (Basic seamanship and infantry training) Stralsund, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany
   
       
  30 Nov 39 - 8 Jan 40 Practical onboard training on the battleship SCHLESIEN  
       
       
  9 Jan 40 - 10 Jun 40 Practical onboard training on the light cruiser EMDEN  
    In April 1940 the ship participated in the occupation of Norway - Unternehmen Weserübung = Operation Weser Exercise as part of the force that captured Oslo.  
       
  29 Apr 40 Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse (Iron Cross 2nd Class) Oslo, Norway
       
  11 Jun - 7 Sep 40 Main course for Fähnrich zur See at the Marineschule Mürwik (the German Naval Academy) Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
   
       
  1 Jul 40 Fähnrich zur See  
       
  8 Sep - 24 Nov 40 Motorbootsabteilung (used motor-boats and trawlers for training and harbor protection).  During this period the command was awaiting the Invasion of England - Unternehmen Seelöwe = Operation Sea Lion Rotterdam, Netherlands
   
       
  25 Nov 40 - 31 Jan 41 Training at the Sperrschule (Mining School) Kiel, Germany
       
       
  1 Feb 41 - 2 Feb 41 Training with the 24. Unterseebootsflottille Memel, Lithuania (under German control 1935-1945)
     
       
  3 Feb 41 - 5 Apr 41 Training with the 1. Unterseeboots-Ausbildungsabteilung Plön, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
     
       
  6 Apr 41 - 27 Jul 41 U-boat Watch Officer training at various Kriegsmarine weapons schools  
     
       
  1 Jul 41 Oberfähnrich zur See  
       
  28 Jul 41 - 9 Mar 42 Instructor at the 1. Unterseeboots-Lehrdivision (U-boat training Division) Pillau
     
       
  1 Mar 42 Leutnant zur See  
       
  10 Mar - 20 Apr 42 Assigned as First Watch Officer of U-354 - Baubelehrung for a new U-boat (U-354) Flensburger Schiffsbau-Ges, Flensburg
       
  29 Oct - 30 Nov 42 U-354 first war patrol  
       
  7 Nov 42 Flotten-Kriegsabzeichen (High Seas Fleet Badge) for service on the light cruiser EMDEN  
       
  19 Dec 42 - 15 Jan 43 U-354 second war patrol  
       
  20 Jan 43 U-Boots-Kriegsabzeichen 1939 (U-boat War Badge 1939  
       
  11 Mar - 4 Apr 43 U-354 third war patrol  
       
  9 May - 12 Jun 43 U-354 fourth war patrol  
       
  24 Jun - 28 Jul 43 Instructor at the 2. Unterseeboots-Ausbildungsabteilung (a holding camp for fully trained crews with short courses) Neustadt, Schleswig-Holstein Germany
   
       
  29 Jul - 22 Aug 43 Instructor at the 1. Unterseeboots-Lehrdivision (U-boat training Division) Pillau
     
       
  23 Aug 43 - 4 Jun 44 Kommandant of U-4  
       
  1 Oct 43 Oberleutnant zur See  
       
  5 Jun 44 - 8 May 45 Kommandant of U-236  
       
  17 Oct 44 U-Boots - Frontspange in Bronze (U-boat Front Clasp)  
       
    After the war Herbert Mumm took over the parental business until 1956.  Then he was reactivated as Korvettenkapitän in the new Bundesmarine (Federal Navy).  He commanded the deep sea mine sweeper "SEA SERPENT" and later the former US Fletcher Class destroyer "Z2" at that time the largest units of the German Fleet.  He then served in a variety of shore positions until he retired as a Kapitän zur See on 31 December 1970.  
       
  7 Feb 03 Died (age 82) Wilhelmshaven, Germany
       

 

 

     
     
  Leutnant zur See                                                                            On board, 1 September 1942  
  Mumm, Herbert  
  First Watch Officer on  
  a U-boat.  
     
 
My war experiences.
  
  When the war broke out I was in a RAD [Reichsarbeitsdienst = Reich Labour Service] detachment in Oberschleisen, not far from the Polish border.  With the mobilization, the detachment was subordinated to the construction company of a construction battalion and the Wehrmacht.  Already on September 2nd we marched together across the border in order to build or repair supply routes to the Font, which had already been advanced several kilometers into enemy territory.  
          There was enough work for us in the former East Upper Silesian industrial area. On September 6, we marched through the newly liberated town of Tarnowitz, happily welcomed by the population, with shiny spades on our shoulders.  In Neudeck, a place with a predominantly German population, we were attacked by Polish gangs and snipers for the first time. After staying in Neudeck for several days, we went on to Congress Poland to continue our work on the completely neglected streets. Then soon an OKW order was received, by which the Officer Candidates of the Navy were to be dismissed immediately to the 7. Schiffsstammabteilung. Together with some comrades, including Ernst Harms, I was sent on the march to Stralsund to the 7th S.St.A.  
          The 10-week basic infantry training was over on December 1, 1939.  Now the first on-board command beckoned.  After a several week tour on the battleship "SCHLESIEN" I arrived on board the school cruiser "EMDEN" in early January 40.  Very soon, combat training took precedence over the normal cadet training, suggesting the preparation of a larg-scale operation. So in the Norway operation we were assigned as a Front Ship to a battle group that had the task of penetrating the Oslo Fjord and occupying the Norwegian capital with the help of an Army landing corps.  
          In the morning of April 9, 1940 at 05.00 hours, as ordered, we stood in the fjord in front of the narrowest point, the Dröbackenge. Up to this point we passed the many shore batteries unhindered, but were met with heavy artillery fire at the heavily fortified narrows. The fire was immediately returned by our units.  
     
Click the flag to view the above page from the original German KTB
     
 
- 2 -
 
     
  There was a brief but violent artillery battle at close range, in the course of which we lost the most modern and beautiful ship, the heavy cruiser "BLÜCHER". This proud ship sank in a few minutes, firing until the last moment, with the flag waving, just as bravely and gloriously as the first "BLÜCHER" in the World War in the Dogger Bank Battle sank before the enemy.  
          Although the battle could stop us, it never prevented us from carrying out our task. On the same day, Oslo and the following day all coastal fortifications of the fjord were firmly in German hands.  
          Already reported as sunk by the English, the main task of our ship from now on was to ensure radio communication with home, since the land radio station was destroyed. I was assigned to a special unit during this time.  On a commandeered Norwegian tugboat, we had to secure Norwegian military vessels throughout the fjord, primarily mine-layers, and then bring them to the naval port.  After completing this task, I returned to Oslo on board the "EMDEN". Now the Tommy began their nocturnal air raids, which we were all able to repel successfully, so that our ship was never hit and remained undamaged. In the middle of June we began our return march home. Here I was immediately posted to the naval school in Flensburg-Mürwik.  
          After passing the Officer's Main Examination, I went to Rotterdam for two months to participate in a motor boat division, to wait in vain for the operation against England. This was followed by a two-month Mine Weapons Course in Kiel.  Unfortunately, the hoped-for command at the Front for mine detection did not materialize. But instead I was assigned to the U-Bootwaffe, where several months of training to become a U-boat Watch Officer took place. This was concluded in in September last year. Again I had hoped in vain for a Front command. I had to stay at the U-boat school over the winter as an instructor.  
          Only in March of this year was I ordered as First Officer on watch on a newly-built U-boat, [U-354] which will now be leaving for its first patrol in a few weeks and will help win the final victory alongside the many other boats.  
     
     
     
     

 

Promotions and Decorations
       
  16 Sep 39   Offiziersanwärter
  1 Feb 40   Seekadett
  1 Jul 40   Fähnrich zur See
  1 Jul 41   Oberfähnrich zur See
  1 Mar 42   Leutnant zur See
  1 Oct 43   Oberleutnant zur See
       
  29 Apr 40   Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse (Iron Cross 2nd Class)
  7 Nov 42   Flotten-Kriegsabzeichen (High Seas Fleet Badge)
  20 Jan 43   U-Boots-Kriegsabzeichen 1939 (U-boat War Badge 1939)
  17 Oct 44   U-Boots - Frontspange in bronze - (U-boat combat Clasp) 

 

 
U-236 Black Elephant
DRL Sports Badge Bronze
 
Erkennungsmarke
Cap emblem
"DRL" = "Deutscher Reichsbund für Leibesübungen")
 
Identity Disc
 
 
Made of Aluminum
 
German Reich Association for Physical Exercise
 
Oval 50.3 x 80 mm
Kriegsmarine
           
Reichsadler
U-Boot Frontspange
U-Boots-Kriegsabzeichen 1939
Flottenkriegsabzeichen
National symbol
U-boat Front Clasp in bronze
U-boat War Badge 1939
High Seas Fleet Badge
  
Metal pins were usually worn only by Officers on the white tunic, the white mess jacket and the tropical brown and white tunics
(established 15 May 1944)
 
           
Post War
Post War
Post War
  
U-Boot Frontspange
U-Boots-Kriegsabzeichen
Flottenkriegsabzeichen
U-boat Front Clasp in bronze
U-boat War Badge
High Seas Fleet Badge
             
Cloth Ribbons worn on the Service Dress Uniform
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse / U-Boot Frontspange / U-Boots-Kriegsabzeichen 1939 / Flottenkriegsabzeichen
 
 

     
 
In the name of the Führers
  
 
and Obersten Befehlshabers
  
 
der Wehrmacht
  
     
 
I award
  
 
Seekadett Mumm, Herbert
  
 
Herbert Mumm
  
     
     
     
 
The
  
 
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse = Iron Cross 2nd Class
  
     
                                                                   Oslo       , den 29.4.      1940.  
                                                                                             Signature  
                                                                                            Admiral and  
                                                                              Komd. Admiral Norwegen  
     

     
 
In the name of the Commander-in-Chief
  
 
of the Navy,
 
 
I award
  
     
 
Leutnant zur See
  
 
Herbert Mumm
  
 
for taking part in the war journeys of the
  
 
Cruiser "Emden"
  
     
 
The
  
 
Flottenkriegsabzeichen = Fleet War Badge
  
     
                                                                   On   7 November 1942.  
                                                                                             Signature  
                                                                                     Konteradmiral and  
                                                                   Befehlshaber des Ausbildungsverbandes  
                                                                                            der Flotte  
     

     
 
Award -Certificate
  
     
 
On the basis of the authority of the Commander-in-Chief
  
 
of the Navy, I award the
  
     
 
                                            Leutnant zur See                                       
 
 
                                            Mumm, Herbert                                        
  
     
 
The
  
 
U-Boots-Kriegsabzeichen 1939 = U-boat War Badge 1939
  
     
                                                             On board,      , on   20 January      1943.  
                                                                                             Signature  
                                           Kapitän zur See und Führer ser Unterseeboote Norwegen  
                                                                  Admiral and Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote  
     

     
 
AWARD-CERTIFICATE
  
     
 
On the basis of the authority of the Commander-in-Chief
  
 
of the Navy, I award the
  
     
 
                                           Oberleutnant zur See                                     
 
 
                                               Herbert  M u m m                                      
  
     
 
The
  
 
U-Boots - Frontspange = U-boat - Front Clasp
  
 
in Bronze
  
     
                                                             Plön/Holstein,      on     17.10.        1944  
                                                                                             Signature  
 

                                                                                                      Korvettenkapitän (Ing.)

  
                                                                                                    Höherer Koimmandeur der  
                                                                                                   Unterseebootsausbildung i.V.  
     

Oblt. z.S. Herbert Mumm - on the bridge of U-236