Hetzer Inspection as a Part of Hitler's 55th Birthday Celebration (20 April 1944)

On 20 April 1944 Adolf Hitler marked his fifty-fifth birthday with a military demonstration rather than festive public events, as the war situation had grown increasingly grim for Germany. At the Arys (Orzysz) military training area in East Prussia the Führer and his senior entourage inspected the first twenty production examples of the Jagdpanzer 38, a compact tank destroyer based on the proven Panzer 38(t) chassis that had been rushed into limited manufacture earlier that month. The vehicles, officially designated Sd.Kfz. 138/2 and later popularly known as the Hetzer, were paraded along an autobahn in front of Hitler as part of a somber display intended to showcase ongoing efforts to bolster German armored forces against the advancing Allied armies on both the Eastern and Western fronts. Photographs and film footage captured during the event show Hitler, accompanied by high-ranking officers, closely examining the low-slung casemate design that promised improved protection and ambush capability at a fraction of the cost and production time required for heavier tank destroyers.

The Jagdpanzer 38 had emerged from urgent deliberations in late 1943 after Allied bombing severely damaged the Alkett factory responsible for Sturmgeschütz production. Hitler personally endorsed the conversion of remaining Panzer 38(t) chassis into a light panzerjäger armed with the 7.5 cm PaK 39 gun, placing the project under the oversight of Generaloberst Heinz Guderian and granting it top priority within the armaments program. Prototypes were completed and accepted by Waffenamt inspectors in early April 1944, with the initial monthly target set at twenty vehicles rising quickly toward fifty in May. The design featured sharply sloped armor that maximized protection within a low silhouette barely two meters tall, a rear-mounted engine layout for better weight distribution, and a simple but effective mounting for the powerful anti-tank gun, all assembled primarily at the Böhmisch-Mährische Maschinenfabrik plant in Prague using Czech components to accelerate output amid resource shortages.

By mid-April 1944 the first batch of twenty Jagdpanzer 38 vehicles had been completed and transported to the demonstration site despite lingering mechanical teething problems. Hitler arrived with a delegation that included Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel, Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring, Generaloberst Kurt Zeitzler, Reichsleiter Martin Bormann, and Staatssekretär Karl-Otto Saur from the Ministry of Armaments, along with unidentified panzer officers and his personal cameraman Walter Frentz who recorded the proceedings. The vehicles performed a short parade and static inspection, during which Hitler was seen gesturing and discussing technical details with his commanders while the machines were positioned for close viewing, highlighting features such as the ball-mounted machine gun and the commander's periscope that offered the crew limited but functional visibility in their cramped fighting compartment.

Following the inspection the twenty Jagdpanzer 38 units were immediately returned to the factory because they had not yet reached full operational readiness, a decision reflecting the haste with which the program had been accelerated to meet Hitler's birthday deadline. Production continued nonetheless, and within weeks additional vehicles underwent trials at ordnance depots before the first combat-ready examples reached training units in May and frontline Panzerjäger Abteilungen in July 1944. The demonstration thus served more as a propaganda and motivational milestone than a final acceptance test, underscoring the regime's determination to project strength and innovation even as strategic bombing and material deficits constrained actual output to far below the ambitious monthly goals of one thousand units envisioned for 1945.

The popular name Hetzer, meaning “baiter” or “chaser,” was never an official designation applied by the Wehrmacht during the war and originated from confusion with the separate E-10 light tank destroyer prototype under development at the same time. Škoda documentation briefly mixed the two names, causing the earliest field units to stencil the incorrect label until the matter was clarified, while a later briefing note from Guderian to Hitler claimed the term had arisen spontaneously among troops, a story that helped embed the nickname in postwar historiography despite its absence from all formal German military paperwork. Regardless of nomenclature the vehicle proved an effective and economical solution that would equip dozens of Panzerjäger battalions and remain in service until the final months of the conflict, with nearly three thousand ultimately manufactured across multiple factories.

This picture was taken by Walter Frentz, and it shows Adolf Hitler during a Hetzer tank destroyer demonstration on a closed section of highway near Arys (Orzysz) in East Prussia, 20 April 1944. From left to right: Großadmiral Karl Dönitz (Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine), Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel (Chef Oberkommando der Wehrmacht), General der Artillerie Walter Warlimont (Chef Wehrmachtführungsstabes Oberkommando der Wehrmacht), Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler (Chef der SS und deutschen Polizei), Adolf Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht), SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Hermann Fegelein (Verbindungsoffizier der Waffen-SS zum Führerhauptquartier), Konteradmiral Hans-Erich Voß (Verbindungsoffizier Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine zum Führerhauptquartier), and Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring (Oberbefehlshaber der Luftwaffe).



This picture was taken by Walter Frentz, and it shows Adolf Hitler during panzer inspection on a closed section of highway near Arys (Orzysz) in East Prussia, 20 April 1944. From left to right: Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler (Chef der SS und deutschen Polizei), SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Hermann Fegelein (Verbindungsoffizier der Waffen-SS zum Führerhauptquartier), Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring (Oberbefehlshaber der Luftwaffe), Adolf Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht), and Hauptdienstleiter Dipl.-Ing. Karl-Otto Saur (Staatssekretär im Reichsministerium für Rüstung und Kriegsproduktion).


This picture was taken by Walter Frentz, and it shows Adolf Hitler during a Hetzer tank destroyer demonstration on a closed section of highway near Arys (Orzysz) in East Prussia, 20 April 1944. From left to right: Prof. Dr.-Ing. e.h. mult. Ferdinand Porsche (Vorsitzender der Panzerkommission), Generaloberst Heinz Guderian (Generalinspekteur der Panzertruppen), Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring (Oberbefehlshaber der Luftwaffe), and Adolf Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht).



This picture was taken by Walter Frentz, and it shows Adolf Hitler during a Hetzer tank destroyer demonstration on a closed section of highway near Arys (Orzysz) in East Prussia, 20 April 1944. From left to right: Generalleutnant Walter Buhle (Chef vom Heeresstab im Oberkommando der Wehrmacht), Generaloberst Kurt Zeitzler (Chef des Generalstabes des Heeres), Reichsleiter Martin Bormann (Stabsleiter im Amt des Stellvertreters des Führers), Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel (Chef des Oberkommando der Wehrmacht), Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring (Oberbefehlshaber der Luftwaffe), Hauptdienstleiter Dipl.-Ing. Karl-Otto Saur (Staatssekretär im Reichsministerium für Rüstung und Kriegsproduktion), unknown panzer officer, and Adolf Hitler (Führer und oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht).

Oberleutnant Walter Frentz (Hitler's personnal photographer) with his film camera, while in the background it shows Adolf Hitler during a Hetzer tank destroyer demonstration on a closed section of highway near Arys (Orzysz) in East Prussia, 20 April 1944. Behind Hitler is Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring (Oberbefehlshaber der Luftwaffe).

Adolf Hitler (third from right, Führer und oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht) inspecting one of the first twenty Jagdpanzer 38 (Sd.Kfz.138/2) "Hetzer" (Baiter or Troublemaker) during official presentation for the 55th Führer's birthday at Arys (Orzysz) in East Prussia, 20 April 1944. After the demonstration they were sent directly back to the factory since they were not yet completely serviceable. The name "Hetzer" was at the time not commonly used for this vehicle. It was the designation for a related prototype, the E-10. The Škoda factory for a very short period confused the two names in its documentation and the very first unit equipped with the vehicle thus for a few weeks applied the incorrect name until matters were clarified. However, there exists a briefing paper from Heinz Guderian to Hitler claiming that an unofficial name, Hetzer, had spontaneously been coined by the troops. Post-war historians basing themselves on this statement made the name popular in their works, though the vehicle was never named as such in official documents!

From left to right: Gunther Konopacki, Hermann Kunz & Manfred Kuhnert.

Source:
Hitler Archive, "20 April 1944," https://www.hitler-archive.com/index.php?d=1944-04-20.  
ww2images, "Adolf Hitler and Hermann Göring at the Demonstration of Hetzer," 19 June 2013, http://ww2images.blogspot.com/2013/06/adolf-hitler-and-hermann-goring-at.html.  
Schloss Klessheim entry, Wikipedia, accessed for contextual details on the palace's wartime use.  
CriticalPast historical footage collection, descriptions of 1944 birthday-related German newsreels and parades.  
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, digitized film catalog entries on Hitler with officials and 1944 birthday events.
https://www.walter-frentz-collection.de/fotoarchiv/personenarchiv-hitler-1933-1945/hitler-mit-militaers/#&gid=1&pid=48

Goldenem Eichenlaub Award Ceremony for Hans-Ulrich Rudel

The first, the last and the only award ceremony of the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Goldenem Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten (Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds) for Stuka ace Hans-Ulrich Rudel, which were held at the Führerhauptquartier Adlerhost near Langenhain-Ziegenberg, Hesse, on 1 January 1945 (Rudel had already received the announcement from 29 December 1944). He received the fifth grade of the Ritterkreuz after completing his 2,400th combat mission with his dive-bomber aircraft and destroying his 463rd tank! This picture was taken by Heinrich Hoffmann and it first published in "12 Uhr", 4 January 1945 edition. From left to right: Joachim von Ribbentrop (Reichsminister des Auwärtigen), Oberstleutnant Hans-Ulrich Rudel (Geschwaderkommodore Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"),  SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Hermann Fegelein (Verbindungsoffizier der Waffen-SS zum Führerhauptquartier), Generaloberst Alfred Jodl (Chef der Wehrmacht-Führungsamt)), Adolf Hitler (Führer und oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht), Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel (Chef des Oberkommando der Wehrmacht), General der Infanterie Wilhelm Burgdorf (Leiter des Heeres-Personalamt), Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring (Oberbefehlshaber der Luftwaffe), Großadmiral Karl Dönitz (Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine), and Generaloberst Heinz Guderian (Chef des Generalstabes des Heeres).

The first, the last and the only award ceremony of the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Goldenem Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten (Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds) for Stuka ace Hans-Ulrich Rudel, which were held at the Führerhauptquartier Adlerhost near Langenhain-Ziegenberg, Hesse, on 1 January 1945 (Rudel had already received the announcement from 29 December 1944). He received the fifth grade of the Ritterkreuz after completing his 2,400th combat mission with his dive-bomber aircraft and destroying his 463rd tank! This picture was taken by Heinrich Hoffmann and it shows, from left to right: Joachim von Ribbentrop (Reichsminister des Auwärtigen), Oberstleutnant Hans-Ulrich Rudel (Geschwaderkommodore Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"),  SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Hermann Fegelein (Verbindungsoffizier der Waffen-SS zum Führerhauptquartier), Generaloberst Alfred Jodl (Chef der Wehrmacht-Führungsamt), Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel (Chef des Oberkommando der Wehrmacht), Adolf Hitler (Führer und oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht), General der Infanterie Wilhelm Burgdorf (blocked by Göring, Leiter des Heeres-Personalamt), Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring (Oberbefehlshaber der Luftwaffe), and Großadmiral Karl Dönitz (Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine).

Visit of Hermann Göring and Hans-Ulrich Rudel to the Führerhauptquartier Adlerhorst near Langenhain-Ziegenberg, Hesse, on 1 January 1945. Chats between Oberst Nicolaus von Below (left, Adjutant der Luftwaffe beim Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht) and Oberstleutnant Hans-Ulrich Rudel (Geschwaderkommodore Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"). The picture was taken by Heinrich Hoffmann.

Visit of Hermann Göring and Hans-Ulrich Rudel to the Führerhauptquartier Adlerhorst near Langenhain-Ziegenberg, Hesse, on 1 January 1945. Chats between Oberst Nicolaus von Below (left, Adjutant der Luftwaffe beim Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht) and Oberstleutnant Hans-Ulrich Rudel (Geschwaderkommodore Schlachtgeschwader 2 "Immelmann"). The picture was taken by Heinrich Hoffmann.

Source :
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek photo archive
https://www.alamy.com/adolf-hitler-grants-colonel-ulrich-an-award-in-the-adlerhorst-headquarters-in-taunus-in-the-background-from-left-to-right-joachim-von-ribbentrop-hermann-fegelein-alfred-jodl-wilhelm-keitel-hermann-goering-karl-doenitz-and-heint-guderian-image247139105.html
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/hans-ulrich-rudel-officer-colonel-germany-adolf-hitler-news-photo/545639531
http://losgrandesfotografos.blogspot.com/2017/07/heinrich-hoffmann-1885-1957.html

The Death and Funeral of Wolfgang Lüth

The funeral procession for Wolfgang Lüth on 16 May 1945, shot to death by his own sentry two days before. The six officers of the honor guard walk beside the casket.

Kapitän zur See Wolfgang Lüth (15 October 1913 – 14 May 1945), was given the last state funeral of the Third Reich, the only U-boat commander to be so honored. He was the second most successful German U-boat ace of World War II.

In July 1944 U-boat ace Wolfgang Lüth took command of the 1st Department of the Naval Academy Mürwik in Flensburg. He was promoted to Fregattenkapitän on 1 August 1944 and became the commander of the entire academy in September. He was promoted to Kapitän zur See on 1 September 1944.

In May 1945, when the War was over, Lüth was in Flensburg which was in the British area of occupation from 5 May 1945. British forces allowed Lüth, as the Area Commander at the time, to post German Sentries around Mürwik Naval Academy because of the possible threat to the general welfare of the area. Lüth took the sentries from Admiral Donitz`s Guard Battalion, a unit formed for the protection of the Government. They were composed of Submariners and Commanded By Korvettenkapitan Peter Cremer. "Ask once for the password," Lüth had put in written orders, "and if no answer, Shoot!". After midnight on 13/14 May 1945 the weather being dark, rainy, windy and cold. A youngster of 18 years Matthias Gottlob was the sentry on duty. At half midnight he heard footsteps "Halt!" he shouted. "Wer da?"(who is there). Nobody answered. Gottlob called again "Wer da?" still no answer. The stranger has stopped. a third time he cried "Wer da?". No answer. Gottlob shoots his rifle and heard the fall of a body. Another guard came up and asked "What happened?" "I shot someone" replied Gottlob. The other guard peers at the body on the ground "Its a senior Officer. One of ours!" The sentry looked down closely at the body on the ground. "God," he said "Its Wolfgang Lüth, The Commandant!" Turns out he returning drunk and failed to respond to the sentry's challenge and was shot in the head. The officer in charge immediately reported the incident, contacting Großadmiral and Reichspräsident Karl Dönitz. Dönitz's adjutant, who had accepted the call, initially thought that it was a bad joke. He then called Lüth's brother, Joachim, as the two siblings had been staying together. It was he who informed Lüth's wife and their four children that Lüth had died.

Dönitz contacted the British commander of the city of Flensburg, asking him for permission to conduct a formal state funeral, which was approved by royal assent. The funeral was held on 16 May 1945 with Dönitz, Adolf Hitler's designated successor serving as Reichspräsident, delivering the eulogy. In advance, Dönitz had ordered a board of inquiry and court martial to clarify the circumstances of the shooting. During the court martial, Gottlob stated that, in accordance with his orders, he had asked for the password three times without receiving a response from the person, whom he could not visually identify in the darkness. Without aiming he had fired his rifle from the hip. The chain of events was confirmed by the watch leader. The court ruled that Gottlob was not guilty and cleared him of any fault.

The state funeral (Staatsbegräbnis) of U-boat ace and Brillantenträger Wolfgang Lüth, which were held in Flensburg on 16 May 1945. Großadmiral and Reichspräsident Karl Dönitz on the far right delivering the eulogy, while the guard of honour - in the middle is fellow U-boat ace Korvettenkapitän Georg Lassen - standing in front of him.

The state funeral (Staatsbegräbnis) of U-boat ace and Brillantenträger Wolfgang Lüth, which were held in Flensburg on 16 May 1945. Fähnriche (Midshipmans) bearing the coffin, while the officer at front holding Lüth's Ordenskissen (medal pillow).

The state funeral (Staatsbegräbnis) of U-boat ace and Brillantenträger Wolfgang Lüth, which were held in Flensburg on 16 May 1945. Fellow U-boat ace Korvettenkapitän Reinhard Hardegen on the grave.

The grave of Wolfgang Lüth in the Friedhof Adelby, located in the churchyard of St. Johanniskirche, Flensburg, Germany. The picture was taken by N. Simonsen on 26 August 2012.

The memorial stone of Wolfgang Lüth in Flensburg-Mürwik.

Source :
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5147731/Fascinating-photos-capture-Nazi-submarine-captain.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfgang_L%C3%BCth
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=1382361#p1382361
https://uboat.net/men/luth_funeral.htm
https://warspot.ru/4334-tayna-smerti-volfganga-lyuta
https://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/thread.php?threadid=685

Heldengedenktag (Heroes' Remembrance Day) 1943

On 21 March 1943, all of Germany commemorates 'Heldengedenktag' (Heroes' Remembrance Day). On this occasion, a state ceremony took place in the Berliner Zeughaus (Berlin armory), in which Hitler also took part. Seated in the front-left row, from left to right: Reichskriegsopferführer Hanns Oberlindober, Generalfeldmarschall Fedor von Bock (Führerreserve), Generalfeldmarschall Erhard Milch (Generalinspekteur der Luftwaffe), Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler (Chef der SS und deutschen Polizei), Großadmiral Karl Dönitz (Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine), Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel (Chef Oberkommando der Wehrmacht), Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring (Oberbefehlshaber der Luftwaffe), and Adolf Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht). Seated in the front-right row, from left to right: Reichsminister Joachim von Ribbentrop, Reichsminister Dr. Joseph Goebbels, Reichsminister Dr. Wilhelm Frick, SS-Oberstgruppenführer und Generaloberst der Polizei Kurt Daluege, Reichsminister Franz Seldte, Reichsleiter Dr. Robert Ley, and SS-Obergruppenführer Dr. Philipp Bouhler.

Source :
https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/german-military-officers-including-hermann-goering-wilhelm-news-photo/493272171
https://ww2db.com/image.php?image_id=11336

Inauguration of U-boat Base at St. Nazaire

During the inauguration of the U-boat base of Saint-Nazaire, France, Vizeadmiral Karl Dönitz and Fritz Todt observe the entry of the U-203 submarine before meeting its commander, Kapitänleutnant Rolf Mützelburg. The picture was taken on 29 June 1941 by Kriegsberichter Kurt Schlemmer of Marine Propaganda-Abteilung West.

Source :
https://imagesdefense.gouv.fr/fr/catalogsearch/result/?q=doenitz&avec_visuel=1

Cheerful Karl Dönitz with Kriegsmarine Sailors

Cheerful for the "Führer": This is how Perseverance Großadmiral Karl Dönitz (Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine) presented himself in Nazi propaganda, here in 11 January 1945 with German sailors, aboard a ship which is in service on the western theater of war. His submarines were nicknamed as "floating coffins" by the German people - 30,000 of 40,000 U-boat sailors did not return. Dönitz himself would go on to succeed Hitler as head of state and order the surrender of Nazi Germany in May 1945.

Source :
https://legionmagazine.com/en/hitler-raeder-and-the-demise-of-the-kriegsmarine/
https://www.spiegel.de/geschichte/doenitz-regierung-in-flensburg-1945-hitlers-allerletztes-aufgebot-a-53a55abc-9fc7-4aaa-bf9c-80180e6545e2

Karl Dönitz Visiting Oder Front (1945)

Visit of Großadmiral Karl Dönitz (foreground, Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine) to one of the Marinekompanie of 1. Marine-Infanterie-Division in the Oder front, 15 April 1945. The two Ritterkreuzträger at left is, from left to right: Kapitänleutnant Egon-Reiner Freiherr von Schlippenbach (IIa Adjutant 1. Marine-Infanterie-Division) and Generalmajor Wilhelm Bleckwenn (Kommandeur 1. Marine-Infanterie-Division). Photo from the estate of General Bleckwenn.

Großadmiral Karl Dönitz (center, Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine) with the soldiers and officers of 1. Marine-Infanterie-Division in the Oder front. The Ritterkreuzträger who walks behind him is Generalmajor Wilhelm Bleckwenn (Kommandeur 1. Marine-Infanterie-Division), while other Ritterkreuzträger who stands at left is Kapitänleutnant Egon-Reiner Freiherr von Schlippenbach (IIa Adjutant 1. Marine-Infanterie-Division). Photo from the estate of General Bleckwenn.

Großadmiral Karl Dönitz (Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine) in conversation with soldiers who have taken up duty after receiving Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen medals. On the far left is Generalmajor Wilhelm Bleckwenn (Kommandeur 1. Marine-Infanterie-Division), while in the middle is Kapitänleutnant Egon-Reiner Freiherr von Schlippenbach (IIa Adjutant 1. Marine-Infanterie-Division). Schlippenbach is actually a U-boat captain. In the last weeks of the war he was used in the naval infantry and eventually ended up in American captivity. This would explain the uniform. Photo from the estate of General Bleckwenn.

Großadmiral Karl Dönitz (right, Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine) crossing the Oder side canal (Hohensaatener Kanal), presumably south of the village of Lunow. Sitting in front of him is Generalmajor Wilhelm Bleckwenn (Kommandeur 1. Marine-Infanterie-Division). Photo from the estate of General Bleckwenn.

Großadmiral Karl Dönitz (Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine) walks through the trench, while Generalmajor Wilhelm Bleckwenn (Kommandeur 1. Marine-Infanterie-Division) is following behind him. Photo from the estate of General Bleckwenn.

Source :
http://www.specialcamp11.co.uk/Generalmajor%20Wilhelm%20Bleckwenn.htm
https://www.spiegel.de/geschichte/doenitz-regierung-in-flensburg-1945-hitlers-allerletztes-aufgebot-a-53a55abc-9fc7-4aaa-bf9c-80180e6545e2#fotostrecke-15cd9c32-60c6-44b3-b4c1-270811395c21
https://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/forum/wehrmacht-era-militaria/photos-and-paper-items-forum/625449-post-your-who-is-this-photo-requests-here/page84

Award Ceremony for Günther Prien and U-47 after Scapa Flow

Adolf Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht) receives Kapitänleutnant Günther Prien and his U-47 submarine crew in the Reich Chancellery in Berlin on 18 October 1939. The 'Führer' welcomes every single member of the crew. Next to Hitler are Kapitänleutnant Prien and Großadmiral Erich Raeder (Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine). Prien had sunk with his U-boat the British battleship Royal Oak - with the loss of 833 British sailors - in the secured roads of the British Fleet, Scapa Flow, on 14 October 1939. In the picture the team is awarded with the Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse.

U-47's journey back home was one of celebration; this time was well utilised by First Officer Endrass, who ordered the painting of the now well-known "Snorting Bull" emblem on the conning tower in honour of his illustrious skipper, who was soon to become known as Der Stier von Scapa Flow, or "The Bull of Scapa Flow". This entire artistic operation was carried out without the skipper being aware of it, and when this new emblem was finally revealed, Prien was said to have been pleased with the result.

On arrival at Wilhelmshaven on 17 October Prien and his crew received the much-expected heroes' welcome and were greeted by an enthusiastic crowd, a ceremonial guard of honour and U-boat commander Dönitz himself. This was to herald the beginning of a hectic few days for Prien and his crew: having taken the short journey to Kiel, they then found themselves being flown onto Berlin for lunch the following day with Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. Prien, having been informed of his being made the first recipient of the coveted Knight's Cross or Ritterkreuz, travelled in Hitler's personal aircraft.

The three aircraft carrying Günther Prien and his crew arrived at Berlin's Tempelhof airfield at 1100 on the morning of 18 October, and having been met by naval officials proceeded to make their way to the Reichskanzlei. As the procession of cars made their way through the streets of Berlin, the crew of U-47 and its celebrated skipper were met by yet more enthusiastic crowds lining the route. After meeting Hitler and making the obligatory opening speeches Prien was presented with his Ritterkreuz. The other crewmembers had been awarded with the Iron Cross, either first or second class, by Dönitz the previous day. Prien himself, already a holder of the Iron Cross second class, received the first class award the previous day.

Having been presented with their awards, Prien and the crew of U-47 continued their victory celebration by taking lunch with Adolf Hitler, followed by their being presented to press chief Otto Dietrich and yet more speeches. During a press conference in the afternoon, Prien reiterated his belief that he had also struck the Repulse during the attack - though it has been said that he was somewhat reticent to expand more on the subject. The day's events were capped off with a gala evening at the Wintergarten theatre where more cheering crowds had gathered both inside and out. Prien and his crew were fêted upon like film stars and besieged by armies of autograph hunters, young and old, male and female. Everyone was quick to jump on the Snorting Bull's bandwagon - during the show the crowd called upon Prien to deliver a speech, which in turn was broadcast to the nation on the popular radio programme Wunschkonzert.

The following morning the crew were woken up by a band of the Marine Hitler Youth, and were entertained by Luftwaffe chief Hermann Göring before making their way back to the airfield and the return flight to Wilhelmshaven. After yet more enthusiastic crowds, the crew were finally able to return to some semblance of normality when they made their way from Wilhelmshaven back to Kiel, where U-47 would undergo a well-earned rest and refit.

U-47 returns from her 2nd war patrol, arriving at Wilhelmshaven’s harbour lock I on 17 October 1939. Sailors lined up on deck are receiving the praise of those on the edge of the jetty. There would be plenty more plaudits in the days to follow. Notable in this shot the breakwaters outboard of the 88mm deck gun, the raised bollards towards the bow and the weathering near the base of the conning tower. The wooden deck, treated with a black wood preservative, looks dark in this photo.



U-47, with crew on the deck, returns from her 2nd war patrol, arrives back at Wilhelmshaven’s harbour lock I on 17 October following the sinking of the Royal Oak at Scapa Flow. This photograph was taken at roughly the same time as the previous, but from the opposite side of the harbour lock. The wavy line on the starboard hull is not the division between the two greys; it marks the difference between wet and dry hull sides.


This photograph was taken moments after two previous pictures, farther up the harbour lock from where the first picture was shot. The Ponton Bridge behind and the pole to the left are also visible in the second picture. Many sailors are parading along the harbour lock in honour of the triumphant U-boat.



Here the U-boat can be seen arriving at the harbour lock, where a reception committee awaited them. This included Admirals Erich Raeder and Alfred Saalwächter, and Konteradmiral Karl Dönitz. There were some differences between the port and starboard sides of U-47's conning tower. Firstly, there were four tower rungs at the rear of the port tower wall as opposed to two on the starboard tower wall. Another difference is that the group of ventilation holes on the port side (between the top two rungs) is far smaller than on the starboard side. Both these differences can be seen by comparing this photo with others. Lastly, a double-length wooden seat can be made out on the starboard tower railings, covering the distance between three vertical stanchions. In the other picture it is obvious than a similar seat was not present on the port tower railings; the single-length seat on the port side was present between two vertical stanchions.


Taken shortly after the previous picture, this photo provides a very clear view of the free-flooding drainage holes forward of the saddle tanks. Generally speaking, small groups of boats belonging to the same batch shared similar patterns of holes, though there were even, on occasions, minor differences between boats belonging to the same batch. Greater variations tended to occur between boats that had been built in different shipyards. There was a definite and noticeable difference in the number of holes in front of the saddle tanks (at the right hand side of the main group in this photo) on VIIBs as opposed to VIICs. The greater number located at this area of all 24 VIIBs allow us to distinguish this sub-class from VIICs. There appears to be a patch of grey below the forward deck railings in the fifth picture that is not present in the first and the fourth pictures. This is probably a shadow cast by a lamp-post. A similar lamp-post can be seen on the opposite side of the lock.



Konteradmiral Karl Dönitz talks to Günther Prien beside the 88mm deck gun. This day, 17 October 1939, was the day he took charge as BdU (Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote or Commander-in-Chief for U-boats), having previously been FdU (Führer der Unterseeboote or Flag Officer for U-boats). Prien was told that he would receive the Ritterkreuz from Hitler himself. The entire crew was flown to Kiel later that day, then flown to Berlin on the following day, the 18th. After several speeches, Hitler awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes to Günther Prien in recognition of U 47's audacious penetration of Scapa Flow. The Ritterkreuz bestowed upon Prien was the very first of 144 such medals awarded to men belonging to the Ubootwaffe.


Reception of the victorious U-boat team in Berlin (sinking the 'Royal Oak' in the Bay of Scapa Flow): Kapitänleutnant Günther Prien (standing in the car) and accompanying officers on arrival in front of the Hotel Kaiserhof, in front of the Reich Chancellery, 18 October 1939.


Kapitänleutnant Günther Prien (Kommandant U-47) leading his crew on the way to the Reich Chancellery to receive the award from Hitler. Berlin, 18 October 1939.



Kapitänleutnant Günther Prien (Kommandant U-47) and the crew of U-47 are received by Adolf Hitler in the Reichskanzlei (Reich Chancellery) in Berlin on 18 October 1939, the day after their return from Scapa Flow. Prien was awarded his Ritterkreuz, and the rest of the crew were all decorated with the Eisernes Kreuzes.


Adolf Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht) receives Kapitänleutnant Günther Prien (Kommandant U-47) and the crew of his U-boat in the Reich Chancellery in Berlin, 18 October 1939. Behind Hitler standing Großadmiral Erich Raeder (Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine).



Adolf Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht) awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes to Kapitänleutnant Günther Prien (Kommandant U-47) in Reichs Chancellery, Berlin, on 18 October 1939. After the successful Scapa Flow infiltration by U-47, Prien returned to Germany on 17 October to instant fame. Prien and his crew were flown to Berlin aboard Hitler's personal aircraft. At the Reich Chancellery the following day, Hitler awarded Prien the Ritterkreuz. Nazi propaganda exploited the success and gloated over damaged British morale.



Kapitänleutnant Günther Prien (Kommandant U-47) and Adolf Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht) posing together for the camera after Hitler just awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes to Prien in the Reich Chancellery, Berlin, 18 October 1939.

Adolf Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht) congratulates the crew of U-47 for their successful mission at Scapa Flow. They have already receives the Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse and I.Klasse one day previously. Standing behind Hitler is Großadmiral Erich Raeder (Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine) and Kapitänleutnant Günther Prien (Kommandant U-47).



Kapitänleutnant Günther Prien (left, Kommandant U-47) chats with Adolf Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht) about his exploits at Scapa Flow, while Großadmiral Erich Raeder (Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine) listening at right. In the background stands Oberst Rudolf Schmundt (Chefadjutant der Wehrmacht beim Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht) and SS-Gruppenführer Dr. Otto Dietrich (Reichspressechef).



Kapitänleutnant Günther Prien (left, Kommandant U-47) at lunch with Hitler. There doesn't appear to be much talking going on; both Prien and the usually animated Führer look decidely uncomfortable. One can only assume that the tough seahand didn't take too well to Hitler's vegetarian menu and the likely lack of alcohol at the table. The crewman to Hitler's left looking equally unimpressed - or perhaps overawed - is Maschinenobergefreiter Ernst Schmidt, wearing his freshly awarded Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse.

Kapitänleutnant Günther Prien (Kommandant U-47) reports to the press in the Reich Chancellery about his successful mission at Scapa Flow, 18 October 1939. At right is Engelbert Endrass, who would also becoming a U-boat ace just like Prien awhile later.



In the evening of 18 October 1939, Kapitänleutnant Günther Prien (Kommandant U-47) and his U-boat crew invited as honor guests at the tea reception given by the Reichspressechef (Reich Press Chief), SS-Gruppenführer Dr. Otto Dietrich, to which representatives of the domestic and foreign press were also invited. From left to right: Kapitänleutnant Prien, Reich Press Chief Dr. Dietrich, and representative Legation Counselor Dr. Schmidt in the Foreign Office.



Kapitänleutnant Günther Prien (Kommandant U-47) posing for the photographer in the day he received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes from Hitler, 18 October 1939. The picture was first published by 'Berliner Morgenpost' on 19 October 1939.

Source :
"Mein Weg nach Scapa Flow" by Günther Prien
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-guenther-prien-37055372.html?imageid=C175539F-F987-492B-B546-F8C61E14947B&p=291611&pn=1&searchId=4f616dffdeb958e3dc292153058180fc&searchtype=0
https://www.bild.bundesarchiv.de/dba/de/search/?yearfrom=1939&yearto=1945&query=U-Boot&page=1#
https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/adolf-hitler-accompanied-by-admiral-erich-raeder-left-news-photo/615315254?phrase=third%20reich%20navy%20adolf%20hitler
https://www.hitler-archive.com/index.php?d=1939-10-18
https://www.rebellionresearch.com/sinking-of-hms-royal-oak-by-u-47
http://www.u47.org/english/u47_sca.asp?page=4
https://uboat.net/men/prien.htm
https://www.u-historia.com/uhistoria/historia/articulos/royaloak/royaloak.htm