Exciting U-Boot grouping to Maschinenobergefreiter Martin Meyer serving on U-957 called "Schwarzer Panther" which was commanded by the Knight's Cross winner Kapitänleutnant Gerd Schaar. Schaar won his Knights Cross for leading the landing operation on the Russian island of Sterligova, where a radio station was destroyed in September 1944. In April 1945 Schaar commissioned the Type XXI Elektro boat U-2551. It was run aground and wrecked one month later when Germany surrendered.
Certificate to the Iron Cross 2nd Class signed by famous U-Boot commander Reinhard "Teddy" Suhren. Suhren signed as "Führer der Unterseeboote Norwegen". Folded once.
Teddy Suhren was awarded the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. Suhren can be seen on the photos part of the grouping.
DIN A4 size certificate to the U-Boot War Badge. Signed by Kapitän zur See and "Führer der Unterseeboote Norwegen / Admiral Nordmeer" Hans-Rudolf Peters (German Cross in gold).
Folded twice.
Color certificate for the participation of the Reichsberufswettkampf 1939. Folded once.
The grouping including a fantastic photo grouping and includes an original photograph of his commander Gerd Schaar wearing the German Cross gold (awarded on 14.2.1944). He dedicated it in October 1944: "Zur ständigen Erinnerung an Leid und Freud auf dem "schwarzen Panther" - Ihr Kommandant Okt.44". "Schwarzer Panther" was the nickname of the boat.
The photos show the commander quite a few times. Also Teddy Suhren. You can see the mailing of the boat and the crew wearing the cap badges. A fantastic grouping!
Many pictures were taken in Norway. You can read "Bergen" and "Tromsö" on the reverse. 50 photos in total.
U-957 was commissioned on 7.1.1943 and did 7 patrols. 2 ships sunk (7.564 BRT) as well as 2 warships sunk (603 BRT). It was decommissioned and cannibalized for spare parts on 21 October 1944 at Narvik, after being damaged by pack ice in the Kara Sea on 18 September 1944.
