Original German WWII Kriegsmarine U-boat Uniform Group Named to Kapitänleutnant Hans Fiedler – Commander of U-998 Original Items

Original Items: One of a kind. This is an incredible German WWII Kriegsmarine Navy Uniform Group, named to U-boat U-998 commander Kapitänleutnant Hans Fiedler. Born Oct 14, 1914 in Wolmirsleben, Saxony-Anhalt, Fiedler joined the Kriegsmarine as an Offiziersanwärter (Officer Cadet) in April 1936, and proceeded through the officer candidate training program. By October 1940, he had reached the rank of Oberleutnant zur See, and it was under this rank that he was awarded his first U-boat command in February 1942: the training Type IIB U-boat U-120. This vessel was part of the 21st U-boat Flotilla, a training flotilla made to prepare crews and commanders for independent operation.

After 7 months of training, Fiedler was given command of the Type VIIC U-boat U-564 on October 1st 1942, part of the 1st U-boat Flotilla. He completed 3 patrols before the boat was sunk June 14th, 1943 off of Cape Ortegal on the north west coast of Spain , the result of bombing and depth charges dropped by British aircraft. Even though part of several wolfpacks, the U-564 under Fiedler was not able to sink any vessels due to greatly increased anti-submarine activities, as well as loss of air supremacy. Of the crew, 18 were able to escape, including Fiedler, while 28 were killed. The remnants of the crew were transported by U-185 to a destroyer, and returned to await their next posting.

On September 1st 1943, Fiedler was promoted to Kapitänleutnant, and then assumed command of Type VIIC/41 U-boat U-998, part of the 5th U-boat Flotilla on October 7th 1943. The boat took part in mostly training exercises until June 1944, when they began active service. Unfortunately this command proved even less fruitful, with the U-998 suffering severe damage from two Norwegian Mosquito aircraft near Bergen, Norway, during her first patrol. The boat did not lose any crew, but the damage resulted in the ship being decommissioned at used for spare parts.

Fiedler’s next and last command assignment came shortly after on July 23, 1944, the veteran Type VIIC U-boat U-333, which had launched 3 years earlier and completed 11 patrols. Sailing out of Lorient on July 23rd 1943 for the Western Approaches off the United Kingdom, U-333 was attacked and sank west of the Scilly Isles off Cornwall by the Royal Navy. This marked the first use of the Squid anti-submarine mortar from the British Royal Navy sloop Starling and frigate Loch Killin of the 2nd Support Group. All 45 hands were lost, including Fiedler.

The uniform grouping that we have here is almost certainly from his time as commander of U-998, and possibly also used with U-564. Both of these U-boats used the “Black Cat” as their logo, which is the logo seen on the cap that is part of the set. The logo was transferred along with Fiedler to his new command of the U-998, however the U-333 logo is “Three Small Fish”, so the cap was replaced when he got his new command. The tunic and pants show wear, and by that time may have been spares, so they were left back at port or sent home. U-boats had little spare room, so even the commander was not able to take un-needed clothing out to sea.

The included cap in this group is a great example of a German WWII Kriegsmarine Navy M38 Overseas cap (Schiffchen), as worn by Officers. The overseas cap, nicknamed in German military slang as Schiffchen, or literally “little ship” as it resembled an up-turned row-boat, was standard issue for the Junior Grade Navy officers for most occasions. The cap is constructed of a navy blue light wool exterior, and features a BeVo embroidered Kriegsmarine eagle and tri-color cockade emblems sewn to the front. It has gold bullion piping around the circumference, indicating officer issue. The interior is navy blue light canvas, and is in very good lightly used condition. There are no maker markings, so this was most likely a bespoke cap for the officer.

The left side of the cap has a fantastic “Black Cat” insignia, as used by the U-boats U-48, U-564, U-998, U-1221 and U-2518, two of which are boats captained by Fiedler. Under the scallop, it also has the initials H F embroidered in red. Overall condition is great, and the badges just make it that much better, and a fantastic part of this set.

The tunic is a standard Kriegsmarine U-Boat crew tunic, somewhat similar to the uniforms used in Afrika by the German Navy. It is olive green in color, with a very nice BeVo machine embroidered green and yellow gold Wehrmachtadler Breast eagle properly stitched in place. The front features a 5 button closure, and all correctly have the “fouled anchor” Navy insignia, and retain their circlip retainers on the back. The shoulder and pocket buttons are of the same type. The bottom of the tunic is fastened by a belt type closure. On the inside of the left breast over the inner pocket, the tunic is named in red thread to HANS FIEDLER.

The “sew-in” style officers Schulterstücken (Shoulder boards) of this tunic are constructed with two rows of fine silver flatware “Russia Braid” double piping and have the correct navy blue backing for the Kriegsmarine uniforms. They feature two rank pips, indicating a Kapitänleutnant, a rank equivalent to a U.S. Navy Lieutenant. There are no other insignia on the uniform, though there are thread loops on the left pocket, which would have been used to display the Iron Cross 1st Class and U-Boat War Badge that Fiedler had been awarded. Condition is very good. showing wear consistent with service. There are a few small tears but nothing major.

The pants in this set are the iconic Kriegsmarine fine blue-gray leather trousers, as used when working on the decks of the U-Boats. The insides is fully cotton lined, perfect for use in the often wet topside environment. They have the correct large EAGLE / M Kriegsmarine proof on the back, near the sizing closure, and have buttons on the top for attachment to suspenders, as they are rather heavy. The inside of the right front is marked FIEDLER on the lining.

Condition is quite good, showing wear and use from long service. These were most likely acquired by Fiedler during an earlier command, and retired before he went to U-333. They do have a large tear in the center seam of the seat, which is probably why they were replaced. The buttons at the top have also become somewhat loose, with a few missing.

This is a fantastic German WWII Kriegsmarine Uniform Grouping, Named to a known U-boat captain, with loads of research potential! We rarely get such nice sets in!

Approx. Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 10″
Shoulder to sleeve: 25″
Shoulder to shoulder: 18″
Chest width: 19.5″
Waist width: 19″
Hip width: 18″
Front length: 23″

Pants:
waist: 16″
inseam: 28″

German submarine U-998 was a Type VIIC/41 U-boat of Germany’s Kriegsmarine during World War II. She was ordered on 14 October 1941, and was laid down on 5 December 1942, at Blohm & Voss, Hamburg, as yard number 198. She was launched on 18 August 1943, and commissioned under the command of Kapitänleutnant Hans Fiedler on 7 October 1943.

German Type VIIC/41 submarines were preceded by the heavier Type VIIC submarines. U-998 had a displacement of 769 tonnes (757 long tons) when at the surface and 871 tonnes (857 long tons) while submerged. She had a total length of 67.10 m (220 ft 2 in), a pressure hull length of 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in), an overall beam of 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in), a height of 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in), and a draught of 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in). The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of 2,800 to 3,200 metric horsepower (2,060 to 2,350 kW; 2,760 to 3,160 shp) for use while surfaced, two BBC GG UB 720/8 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750 metric horsepower (550 kW; 740 shp) for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.23 m (4 ft) propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 230 metres (750 ft).

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph). When submerged, the boat could operate for 80 nautical miles (150 km; 92 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 8,500 nautical miles (15,700 km; 9,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). U-998 was fitted with five 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes, one 8.8 cm (3.46 in) SK C/35 naval gun, (220 rounds), one 3.7 cm (1.5 in) Flak M42 and two 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and fifty-two.

Service history
U-998 had been fitted out in May 1944, with a Schnorchel underwater-breathing apparatus. Departing Kiel on 12 June 1944, U-998 left on her first, and only, war patrol. Five days into her patrol U-998 was located on 16 June 1944, west of Bergen, by two Norwegian Mosquito FB Mk XVIII aircraft from 333 Sqdn RAF, piloted by Erling U. Johansen and Lauritz Humlen. They were able to hit the boat with 57mm cannon fire and depth charges which caused severe damage to U-998. She was forced to return to Bergen, Norway, where she was removed from active service due to the damage from the attack. U-998 would be cannibalized for spare parts until being broken up later in 1944.