Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This is a fine nickel plated quality “hip flask” now almost all brass in appearance from years and years of use and polishing. The flask, in very nice condition, bears an inscription as follows:
U641 SUNK 50° 25’N 18° 49W
CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES
FROM YOUR BROTHER OFFICERS
H.M.S. VIOLET”,
20th NOVEMBER 1944
U-641 was a German U Boat of the Type VIIC class. It was ordered from BLOHM & VOSS of HAMBURG on January 20th 1941 and launched on August 6th. 1942. Commanded by Kapitan HORST RENTEL, it took part in 13 Wolf Pack operations in the North Atlantic, and was finally sunk, off South West Ireland, by Depth Charges on January 19th 1944 with the loss of all 50 members of the crew. It was sunk by HMS Violet (K35) a British Corvette of the “Flower” class launched on December 30th, 1940. This vessel was later sold out of service on May 17th, 1947.
We do not know the name of the recipient of this flask but clearly he was a “brother” officer aboard the HMS Violet.
A wonderful artifact of the Battle of the North Atlantic against AH’s U-boats!