14th Contemporary History Auction

Bidding on 707 lots has ended on 27th November 2016. 86% of all lots sold

129 |

German U-Boot sidecap (USS Block Island)

German U-Boot sidecap (USS Block Island)

LOT 20-129
SOLD
Auction ended        27th November 2016  |  02:06 pm CET
RESULT
340,00
EXCL. BUYER’S PREMIUM: 17,5 %

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DESCRIPTion, DETaILS & Photos
SAVE FOR LATER
PERIOD
COUNTRY Deutschland
MATERIAL
DIMENSIONS
MAKER
WEIGHT
LOT 20-129
EAN 2000000098640
LOT 20-129
PERIOD
COUNTRY Deutschland
EAN 2000000098640
MATERIAL
DIMENSIONS
MAKER
WEIGHT
PERIOD
COUNTRY Deutschland
LOT 20-129
MATERIAL
DIMENSIONS
EAN 2000000098640
MAKER
WEIGHT


Description
Interesting cap made by a rescued German U-Boot crew member. 
 
During WWII, an aircraft from the USS Block Island, a Bogue-class escort carrier, sunk several u-boats. After sinking one of these u-boats, the ship rescued the crew. One of the captured German sailors named "Kurt" made one of more overseas caps - using white canvas - to give to the USS Block Islands crew members.
 
One side of the cap has a drawing of an U-Boot and the name "Kurt". The other has following text: "Zum Andenken an eine gerettete U-Bootsbesatzung" (In remembrance of a rescued U-Boat crew). He also wrote "USS Block Island".
 
This particular side cap was given to Coxswain George Rydzewski from Newark, New Jersey. Part of this offer is a handwritten paper of him. He mailed the cap home after receiving it. Ironically, the USS Block Island was sunk by the German submarine U-549 on 29.5.1944. The carrier lost six men in the attack and 951, including George Rydzewski, were picked by by US escort ships.
 
 

Condition
See description