Postwar Bundesmarine cap tally for members of the U-Boot WILHELM BAUER. Out of the personal lot of the commander of U-2540 Oberleutnant zur See Rudolf Schultze. Schultze was one of four sons of Generaladmiral Otto Schultze (see lots at this auction). His brother, Herbert Schultze - was a famous and highly decorated (Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves) U-Boot commander.
Full length.
Oberleutnant zur See Rudolf Schultze was born on 19.5.1922 and died in September 2000. He was part of Crew XII/39 and commanded U-61 and U-2540 after serving as 1.WO and 2.WO on U-608. Many details on his service time are available on the net.
Schultze actively sunk his U-Boot U-2540 on 4.5.1945 („Aktion Regenbogen“). Ironically Dönitz refused „Aktion Regenbogen“ on the same day. Rudolf Schultze has ignored this order as many other commanders.
U-2540 was recovered in 1957 and served again as U-Boot „Wilhelm Bauer“ from 1960 for the Bundesmarine. The boat is on exhibition today.
