NOT SOLD (BIDDING OVER)
0.00USD+ applicable fees & taxes.
This item WAS NOT SOLD. Auction date was 2016 Mar 17 @ 10:30UTC-4 : AST/EDT
SURRENDERED NAVAL DAGGER AND IRON CROSS OF U-249 CAPTAIN UWE KOCK - FIRST U-BOAT TO SURRENDER AT END OF WORLD WAR II
A true rarity, an identified U-boat captain's naval dagger and Iron Cross, 1st Class, surrendered at the end of World War II. The first German U-boat to surrender directly into Allied hands, U-249 was taken by the Royal Navy off Weymouth, Dorset on May 9, 1945 by R.N. Commander N. J. Weir and his boarding party. Oberleutnant UWE KOCK, four of his fellow officers, and 43 ratings were taken prisoner and the following day, under a black surrender flag, the vessel tied-up at Hampton and the crew was taken into confinement. Royal Navy AB Kenneth Rilett was detailed to assist in escorting the prisoners to an internment camp, and seemingly returned to the submarine for salvage duty...and souvenir hunting. At some point in time, Rilett was able to relieve Capt. Kock of his sea chest containing Kock's naval dagger, Iron Cross, and several other items. The dagger "liberated" by Rilett is a 2nd Model naval dagger by Holler, and it bears the Holler pommel which is slightly smaller and more delicate than others. The eagle has excellent detail to his head, feathering, wreath and swastika. The cross guard features the standard fouled anchors, and also retains very good detail, as do the quillon arms. The grip is a carved wood base with a celluloid cover, wrapped in the "spring" wiring commonly used by Holler. Two small tears are apparent to the celluloid but barely detract. The "lightning bolt" scabbard is straight throughout though a small indent is visible near the bottom. Bands have good overlapping oak leaves and acorns showing only light surface wear. The blade is likewise in very good condition, with an etched sailing ship on one side and the fouled anchor on the other. The upper side of the scabbard is engraved with the owner's name: "Kptn Ltnt Koch U249", and the lower side is engraved in a slightly different hand: "Surrendered Portland 9-5-45 Subsequently Scuttled".The reverse ricasso is etched with Holler's trademark. The original portapee and naval hangers are still attached to this excellent piece. Also present is an Iron Cross, 1st Class attributed to Kock, made by Alois Rettenmaier and marked "L59" with a crescent moon on verso. These items are accompanied by several original documents and two photographs relevant to Rilett's service and his "liberated" souvenirs. Included is Rilett's "Embarkation Card" and attached signed photo in uniform, 1p. 12mo., Portland, [May 10, 1945], being official permission from Weir for Rilett to go aboard U-249 to "ESCORT/POW", proceeding on his duty to: "ACCEPT SURRENDER OF SUBMARINE"; a 7" x 5" photo of U-249 surfacing and so captioned upon the reverse, with Rilett adding: "The German Naval Dagger was taken from Cmdr Kock by myself 10/5/45" and signed; and an Admiralty envelope addressed to Rilett, sent to him by an officer in nearby Bath who was attached to salvage, most likely concerning items taken from the captured submarine. Interestingly, on March 24, 1945, the vessel was attacked by RAF Mosquitos, with several crew wounded and one fighter shot down. Kock rescued the downed RAF pilot, Lt. Williams, and left him a prisoner in Bergen where it appears he was executed. Kock would also meet an unhappy end, dying in 1965 at the age of 54 from alcoholism. Provenance: R.N. Seaman Kenneth Rilett; The War Museum. A printed color certificate of provenance and historical report with 20 photos of the sub's history, service and surrender will accompany this lot.
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Infinite |
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