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U-249 CAPTAIN'S SEA CHEST, SHIP MODEL AND WALL PLAQUE -

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:750.00 USD Estimated At:1,500.00 - 2,000.00 USD
U-249 CAPTAIN'S SEA CHEST, SHIP MODEL AND WALL PLAQUE -
U-249 CAPTAIN'S SEA CHEST, SHIP MODEL AND WALL PLAQUE - THE FIRST U-BOAT TO SURRENDER AT THE END OF WORLD WAR
A group of three items taken from the commander of the surrendered German U-boat U-249 by a British seaman, including his sea chest, a half-hull model of his ship, and a hand-carved wall plaque, probably gifted to him by his crew. The first German submarine to surrender, U-249 was taken by the Royal Navy off Weymouth, Dorset on May 9, 1945 and escorted to Portland where the crew was removed and jailed. Included is the very simple, probably re-purposed personal possession box of vessel commander UWE KOCK (1911-1965), the wood crate measuring 22" x 18" x 12". The box has steel handles on either side, a metal hasp for a lock, and bears a brass engraved identification plate at top: "Oblt. z. S. Kock, Uwe". Also included is a half-hull bronze model of a submarine hull, the conning tower engraved: "U-249", 13" x 3", along with a hand-carved wood sign also reading "U-249" beneath an engraved Iron Cross, the aged gray and white 10" x 7" mounted plaque bearing screw holes and obviously once mounted. These items are accompanied by copies of documents and photos (the originals accompanying the captain's naval dagger) which were all seized by a British sailor at the time of the submarine's surrender. Royal Navy AB Kenneth Rilett was detailed by Capt. N. J. Weir, the officer overseeing the surrender, to assist in escorting the arrested U-249 crewmen to an internment camp. He then apparently returned to the submarine for salvage duty...and souvenir hunting. At some point in time, probably while en route to Portland or when tied-up alongside, Rilett was able to relieve Capt. Kock of this sea chest containing his naval dagger, the plaques, and other items. Copies of Rilett's orders to attend the vessel's prisoners, his note concerning the dagger, and an Admiralty envelope addressed to Rilett sent by an Admiralty salvage officer in Bath, near Portland, date unknown are included. 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 in Bergen, where he was apparently 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.