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K009860 U-BOAT FLOTTILLA WEDDIGEN, PHOTOGRAPH POSTCARD. (Photographie Postkarte)
BACKGROUND: The OKM, Oberkommando des Kriegsmarine, (High Command of the Navy), and the OKW, Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, (High Command of the Armed Forces), both realized the importance of propaganda and as early as 1938 they both actively began recruiting photographers, journalists and artists, who were assigned to Propaganda Companies which accompanied all three branches of service in the field. In his position as the Reichsminister, für Volkserklärung und Propaganda, (National Minister for Public Enlightenment and Propaganda), Dr. Paul Josef Goebbels assisted the Armed Forces by compiling a list of suitable photographers, journalist and artists, and provided an eight week war correspondents training program for them. The photographs, artwork and reports from the Propaganda Companies were utilized to maintain morale, assist in recruitment and record the exploits of the German Armed Forces in the field. Much of the Propaganda Companies work would appear in assorted books, newspapers and magazines such as, Die Wehrmacht, Der Adler, Die Kriegsmarine and Signals and were also used in recruitment posters and postcards. Of Note: As was common practice during the Third Reich, capital ships, flotillas, etc., were quite often named after earlier German heroes and the Unterseebootsflottilla Weddigen, (Submarine Flotilla Weddigen), was named in honor of the Imperial U-Boat ace, Kapitänleutnant Otto Weddigen, (1882-1915). During WWI Weddigen, as commander of U-9, was credited with torpedoing three British cruisers on September 22ND 1914 resulting in the award of the prestigious Pour-le-Mérite. Weddigen went on to sink the British cruiser Hawke in November 1914 before assuming command of the U-29. In February 1915 Weddigen sank four British merchant ships before his U-boat was rammed by the British HMS Dreadnought on March 18TH 1915 and sank with all crew members. Established in September 1935 under the command of Karl Dönitz the Unterseebootsflottilla Weddigen was the first operational German Third Reich era submarine flotilla. Originally based in Kiel the Flotilla transferred to Brest France in June 1941. Through the course of it’s service the flotilla had one hundred forty U-Boats under its command until it was disbanded in September 1944.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 3 5/8" x 5 1/2", mid-weight, card stock postcard features a panoramic black and white photograph of thirteen U-boats and a supply ship neatly aligned at a dock with white printed script, "U-Flottille Weddigen mit U-Bootsmutterschiff Saar", (Submarine Flotilla Weddigen with Submarine Mother ship Saar). The reverse of the postcard has handwritten script, a black postage cancellation inkstamp with the date that appears to be, "28. 5. 40", and a purple unit inkstamp that appear to include, "2. Marine-Landesschützenkompanie Festungswachabtielung Kiel", (2ND Navy Regional Defence Company Fortress Guard Unit Kiel). The postcard is in overall very good condition with minor age yellowing.
GRADE **** PRICE $72.00
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