Karl-Friedrich Merten
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Karl-Friedrich Merten | |
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Kapitän zur See | |
Commands held | escort ship F-7 U-68 26th U-boat Flotilla 24th U-boat Flotilla |
Battles/wars | Spanish Civil War
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Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves |
Karl-Friedrich Merten (15 August 1905 – 2 May 1993) commanded the
At the outbreak of World War II, he was stationed on the battleship
After the war, Merten worked in salvaging sunken ships in the
Early life and career
Merten was born on 15 August 1905 in
He joined the Reichsmarine on 1 April 1926 as a member of "Crew 26" (the incoming class of 1926).[Note 1] He underwent basic military training with the 5th company of the 2nd department of the standing ship division of the Baltic Sea on the Dänholm in Stralsund.[Tr 1][Tr 2][Tr 3] Merten was then transferred to the training ship Niobe (12 July – 17 October 1926), attaining the rank of Seekadett (officer cadet) on 12 October 1926. Following a 17-month stay on board the cruiser Emden (18 October 1926 – 24 March 1928), he advanced in rank to Fähnrich zur See (midshipman) on 1 April 1928.[5]
Merten sailed on Emden's first training cruise, which began on 14 November 1926 and started in Wilhelmshaven. The journey took him and her crew around Africa to Indonesia and the Cocos Islands where SMS Emden was lost on 9 November 1914. There the crew held a commemoration on 15 March 1927. The journey then continued to Japan and Alaska down the west coast of North and South America, around Cape Horn. They celebrated Christmas and New Year's Day in Rio de Janeiro. From there they headed to Middle America and the Azores. Their final stopover was Vilagarcía de Arousa, Spain before they returned home on 14 March 1928.[6]
Following his journey on Emden, Merten attended the main cadet course at the
For two years, Merten then became gunnery instructor at the Naval Artillery School in Kiel-Wik (24 September 1931 – 29 September 1933). During this timeframe, Merten himself attended an anti-aircraft artillery course at Wilhelmshaven (16 February – 12 May 1932),
For the next five months (30 September 1933 – 26 February 1934), Merten served as the artillery referent with the Commander of Minesweepers (F.d.M.).[Tr 14] In parallel to this assignment, he served as 2nd watch officer on the torpedo boat T-156 in the 2nd Minesweeper-Demi-Flotilla as well as Flag Lieutenant with the Commander of Scouting Forces (B.d.A.) on the fleet tender Hella (6–29 January 1934).[Tr 15][Tr 16] He then posted to the anti-artillery training course at the Naval Coast Artillery School in Wilhelmshaven (27 February – 28 March 1934). He then transferred back to his former position of 2nd watch officer on torpedo boat T-156 (29 March – 30 September 1934), this posting was briefly interrupted by a transfer to the light cruiser Königsberg (8 July – 2 August 1934).[8]
Merten was posted to the light cruiser
World War II
From 1 March to 30 June 1939, Merten took an artillery officer's training course for battleship and was posted to Schleswig-Holstein in July 1939 as a cadet training officer. World War II began on 1 September 1939 when German forces
Merten volunteered for service with the U-boat arm in 1940. He attended his first U-boat training course with the torpedo school in Flensburg-Mürwik (29 April– 2 June 1940), followed by another course at the communications school, also in Flensburg-Mürwik (3–30 June 1940). He was then posted to the 1st U-boat Training Division (1 July – 29 September 1940),[8] followed by a U-boat commander's course with the 24th U-boat Flotilla (30 September – 29 November 1940). On 30 November 1940, Merten was transferred to the 2nd U-boat Flotilla, joining the crew of Kapitänleutnant Heinrich Liebe's U-38 as a commander in training and watch officer.[4] Merten went on one war patrol with U-38 (18 December 1940 – 22 January 1941).[13] This was Liebe's eighth war patrol as a commander, during which two ships of 16,583 GRT were sunk.[14]
U-boat commander and first patrol
On 24 January 1941, Merten was stationed at the
Merten's first patrol (30 June – 1 August 1941) was a transfer patrol into the northern Atlantic Ocean, taking U-68 from Kiel to Lorient in France. The patrol, taking U-68 into the North Atlantic, lasted 33 days and covered 6,416 nautical miles (11,882 kilometers; 7,383 miles) afloat and 97 nmi (180 km; 112 mi) submerged.[15] His 1st watch officer on this patrol was Oberleutnant zur See August Maus, 2nd watch officer was Lauzemis. Merten did not sink any ships on this patrol.[13]
During the first five days of this patrol, U-68 came under a
Second patrol, rescue of Allied crews
On the second patrol (11 September – 25 December 1941), Merten headed for the middle and southern Atlantic Ocean, the
On 13 November 1941, U-68 was resupplied by the
Third through fifth patrols
On U-68's third patrol (11 February – 13 April 1942), Merten sank seven ships of 39,350 GRT. The patrol, taking U-68 to the West African coast, lasted 60 days and covered 10,995 nautical miles (20,363 kilometers; 12,653 miles) afloat and 237 nmi (439 km; 273 mi) submerged. U-68 sank the SS Helenus on 3 March 1942, the SS Baluchistan on 8 March 1942, the SS Baron Newlands on 16 March 1942. On 17 March 1942, three ships, the SS Allende, the SS Ile de Batz and the SS Scottish Prince, were sunk. On 30 March 1942 the SS Muncaster Castle was hit by a two torpedoes south-southwest of Monrovia.[24]
On Merten's fourth patrol (14 May – 10 July 1942), U-68 sank seven ships of 50,774 GRT. On this patrol, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 13 June 1942. The patrol lasted 56 days and covered 11,495 nautical miles (21,289 kilometers; 13,228 miles) afloat and 190 nmi (350 km; 220 mi) submerged. U-68 sank the American steam tanker SS L.J. Drake and the Panamanian motor tanker MV C.O. Stillman, at the time the World's largest oil tanker, on 5 June 1942. On 10 June 1942, three ships, the SS Ardenvohr, the SS Port Montreal and the SS Surrey, were sunk. On 15 June 1942, Merten sank the Free French SS Frimaire which had legal consequences for him after the war. On 23 June 1942, the SS Arnaga was struck by a torpedo and later hit by artillery fire.[25]
On U-68 fifth patrol (20 August – 6 December 1942), Merten operated in the U-boat
The Cairo had been carrying 302 people, including 101 passengers, among them 29 women and 19 children (in addition to two stewardesses travelling as part of the crew).[28] The ship sank in roughly 25 minutes, and when Merten sent the second torpedo slamming into the liner, it capsized a lifeboat and smashed another, leaving women and children struggling in the water.[28] Merten approached Boat 6, asking for the name, tonnage, and cargo of the ship, famously ending the conversation by saying, "Goodnight, sorry for sinking you." He pointed the survivors in the direction of the nearest land, St. Helena, which was more than 500 miles away.[28] Two lifeboats spent thirteen days at sea, another spent 14, one spent 36 and contained only three survivors, one spent 51 days and contained only 2 survivors.[28] In the end, 107 of 302 people on board perished, including 4 of 31 women.[28]
On this patrol, he was awarded the
Ashore
After his fifth war patrol, Merten was transferred to the
During his tenure with the 24th U-boat Flotilla, Merten was in frequent conflict with the
On 12 March 1945, the 24th U-boat Flotilla was disbanded and Merten was posted to the Führer Headquarters in Berlin as a liaison officer. There he was put on the staff of Generalleutnant Rudolf Hübner's Fliegendes Sondergericht West (Flying Special Court-Martial West). This unit was created by Hitler in response to the American capture of the Ludendorff Bridge over the Rhine at Remagen. Although Merten joined this unit later, the Flying Special Court-Martial West was responsible for the death sentences of Major (Major) Hans Scheller, Major August Kraft and Major Herbert Strobel, as well as Hauptmann (Captain) Willi Oskar Bratge and Oberleutnant (First Lienutenant) Karl-Heinz Peters.[32]
On 15 April 1945, he was promoted to
Later life
In October 1948, Merten, who at the time lived in
"We couldn't have been sunk by a nicer man"[36]
David Almond, survivor of the City of Cairo sinking
On 14 September 1984, a reunion of the survivors of City of Cairo was celebrated aboard HMS Belfast. The re-union was attended by 17 survivors and Merten and commemorated the publication of the book by Ralph Barker "Goodnight, Sorry for Sinking You".[37]
In 1986, Merten and Kurt Baberg published their book Wir U-Bootfahrer sagen: "Nein!" "So war das nicht!" [We U-Boat Sailors say: "No!" "It was not like this!"].[Note 2] This book criticizes Lothar-Günther Buchheim, especially his work Die U-Boot-Fahrer [U-Boat Sailors], for his anti-Dönitz demeanor.[39]
On 1 January 1969, Merten started working for the Ingenieur Kontor Lübeck (IKL), headed by Ulrich Gabler, as a military-tactical advisor.[40] He died of cancer on 2 May 1993 in Waldshut-Tiengen.[41]
Awards
- Wehrmacht Long Service Award 4th Class & 3rd Class (2 October 1936)[8]
- Spanish Cross in Bronze (20 April 1938)[8]
- Sudetenland Medal (20 December 1939)[8]
- Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (2 October 1939 & 1st Class (30 December 1941)[13]
- U-boat War Badge (1939) (2 August 1941) & with Diamonds (30 January 1943)[13]
- High Seas Fleet Badge (9 October 1942)[13]
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
- Knight's Cross on 13 June 1942 as Korvettenkapitän and commander of U-68[42][43]
- Oak Leaves on 16 November 1942 as Korvettenkapitän and commander of U-68[42][44]
- War Merit Cross 1st Class with Swords
Translation notes
- ^ 5th company—5. Kompanie
- ^ 2nd battalion—II. Abteilung
- ^ standing ship division—Schiffsstammdivision
- ^ main cadet course—Hauptlehrgang für Fähnriche
- ^ torpedo course for cadets—Torpedolehrgang für Fähnriche
- ^ communication course for cadets—Nachrichtenlehrgang für Fähnriche
- ^ mine warfare course for cadets—Sperrlehrgang für Fähnriche
- ^ infantry course for cadets—Infanterielehrgang für Fähnriche
- ^ artillery course for cadets—Artillerielehrgang für Fähnriche
- ^ cadet mentor—Fähnrichsvater
- ^ gas protection course—Gasschutzlehrgang
- ^ anti-aircraft artillery course—Fla-Waffenlehrgang
- ^ Naval Personnel Office—Marineleitung/Marine-Personalamt
- ^ Commander of Minesweepers—Führer der Minensuchboote
- ^ 2nd Minesweeper-Demi-Flotilla—2. Minensuchhalbflottille
- ^ Commander of Scouting Forces—Befehlshaber der Aufklärungsstreitkräfte
Notes
- ^ The German Reichsmarine which was renamed the Kriegsmarine on 1 June 1935.
- ^ Kurt Baberg (23 February 1917 – 31 March 2003) was a U-boat commander of U-30, U-618 and U-827. He was credited with the sinking of three ships and was awarded the German Cross in Gold on 14 January 1944 as Kapitänleutnant on U-618 in the 7th U-boat Flotilla.[38]
References
Citations
- ^ Stockert 2012, p. 187.
- ^ Mulligan 2014, p. 46.
- ^ Stockert 2012, p. 190.
- ^ a b Stockert 2012, p. 188.
- ^ a b c d e Busch & Röll 2003, p. 220.
- ^ Hildebrand, Röhr, & Steinmetz 1993, v. 3., p. 56.
- ^ Merten 2006, p. 74.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Busch & Röll 2003, p. 221.
- ^ Merten 2006, pp. 163, 167–168.
- ^ Merten 2006, p. 183.
- ^ Merten 2006, p. 230.
- ^ Merten 2006, p. 655.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Busch & Röll 2003, p. 222.
- ^ Busch & Röll 2003, p. 50.
- ^ Merten 2004, p. 308.
- ^ Mulligan 2014, p. 55.
- ^ Busch & Röll 2003, p. 223.
- ^ Merten 2004, pp. 326–327.
- ^ Merten 2004, pp. 368–369.
- ^ Merten 2004, pp. 370–372.
- ^ Merten 2004, pp. 373–374.
- ^ Merten 2004, pp. 375–377.
- ^ Merten 2004, pp. 378–379.
- ^ Merten 2004, p. 401.
- ^ Merten 2004, pp. 420–421.
- ^ Merten 2004, p. 449.
- ^ Merten 2004, p. 450.
- ^ a b c d e "ss CITY OF CAIRO". www.sscityofcairo.co.uk. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
- ^ Stockert 2012, pp. 190–191.
- ^ Merten 2004, pp. 497–498.
- ^ Savas 2014, p. 77.
- ^ Merten 2004, pp. 574–585.
- ^ Savas 2014, p. 78.
- ^ Stockert 2012, p. 192.
- ^ Merten 2004, p. 708.
- ^ Merten 2004, p. 705.
- ^ Merten 2004, pp. xvi, 718–722.
- ^ Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 20.
- ^ Hadley 1995, p. 169.
- ^ Merten 2006, p. 700.
- ^ Savas 2014, p. 79.
- ^ a b Scherzer 2007, p. 538.
- ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 308.
- ^ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 63.
Bibliography
- Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (2003). Der U-Boot-Krieg 1939–1945 — Die Ritterkreuzträger der U-Boot-Waffe von September 1939 bis Mai 1945 [The U-Boat War 1939–1945 — The Knight's Cross Bearers of the U-Boat Force from September 1939 to May 1945] (in German). Hamburg, Berlin, Bonn Germany: Verlag E.S. Mittler & Sohn. ISBN 978-3-8132-0515-2.
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000). Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile [The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches] (in German). Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 978-3-7909-0284-6.
- Hadley, Michael L. (1995). Count Not the Dead: The Popular Image of the German Submarine. Montreal, Quebec: McGill-Queen's Press. ISBN 978-0-7735-1282-5.
- Hildebrand, Hans H.; Röhr, Albert; Steinmetz, Hans-Otto (1993). Die Deutschen Kriegsschiffe. Biographien — ein Spiegel der Marinegeschichte von 1815 bis zur Gegenwart. (10 Bände) [The German Warships. Biographies — a Mirror of Naval History from 1815 to the Present. (10 Volumes)] (in German). Vol. 3, 6. ISBN 3-7822-0211-2.
- Merten, Karl-Friedrich (2006). Nach Kompaß—Die Erinnerungen des Kommandanten von U-68 [By Compass—The Memories of the Commander of U-68]. Berlin, Germany: Ullstein. ISBN 978-3-548-26402-8.
- Merten, Karl-Friedrich; Baberg, Kurt (1986). Wir U-Bootfahrer sagen: "Nein!" "So war das nicht!". Eine "Anti-Buchheim-Schrift". U-Bootfahrer nehmen kritisch Stellung zur Schmähschrift des Lothar-Günther Buchheim "Die U-Boot-Fahrer" [We U-Boat Sailors say: "No!" "It was not like this!". An "anti-Buchheim-writing". U-Boat sailors take critical position to the diatribe of OCLC 38793966.
- Mulligan, Timothy P. (2014). Savas, Theodore P. (ed.). Lautlose Jäger: Deutsche U-Boot-Kommandanten im Zweiten Weltkrieg [Silent Hunters: German Submarine Commanders in World War II]. El Dorado Hills, CA: Savas Publishing. ISBN 978-1-940669-19-9.
- Patzwall, Klaus D.; Scherzer, Veit (2001). Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941 – 1945 Geschichte und Inhaber Band II [The German Cross 1941 – 1945 History and Recipients Volume 2] (in German). Norderstedt, Germany: Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall. ISBN 978-3-931533-45-8.
- ISBN 978-1557500298.
- Scherzer, Veit (2007). Die Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives [The Knight's Cross Bearers 1939–1945 The Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 by Army, Air Force, Navy, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Allied Forces with Germany According to the Documents of the Federal Archives] (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Militaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
- Stockert, Peter (2012) [1997]. Die Eichenlaubträger 1939–1945 Band 2 [The Oak Leaves Bearers 1939–1945 Volume 2] (in German) (4th ed.). Bad Friedrichshall, Germany: Friedrichshaller Rundblick. ISBN 978-3-9802222-9-7.
- Thomas, Franz (1998). Die Eichenlaubträger 1939–1945 Band 2: L–Z [The Oak Leaves Bearers 1939–1945 Volume 2: L–Z] (in German). Osnabrück, Germany: Biblio-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-7648-2300-9.
Further reading
- Barker, Ralph (1984). Goodnight, Sorry for Sinking You: Story of S.S. "City of Cairo". London, UK: HarperCollins. ISBN 978-0-00-216464-1.