Auxiliary ship mine] "City of Danzig" in action,

The Auxiliary Mine Ship "City of Danzig" in action. North Atlantic, 1939/1940.
(Bundesarchiv Bild 101ll-MN-1564-23)

City of Danzig

German boat with German and Italian navy personnel off the coast of Crete, spring-summer 1941. DVX

Boat trip in Crete

Formal portrait of Kapitan zur See Wolfgang Luth, first commander of U-181.  One of the most successful U-boat commanders, Luth captained U-181 between May 1942 and November 1943.  During this period, he commanded two patrols adding up to 335 days at sea, in the course of which the boat sank 22 ships (about half of Luth's personal total).  Wolfgang Luth was a recipient of the Knight's Cross with Oakleaves, Swords and Diamonds.

After his stint with U-181, Luth was withdrawn to a command position onshore.  After his distinguished and dangerous career at sea, it was unfortunate to say the least that he met his death at the very end of the war when mistakenly shot by a German Naval sentry, either because he failed to answer with the password of the day, or because his answer was unheard.  Best regards, JR.