Another loss for the vets of U 181 and myself. I dont have the exact date-yet on my friends passing but from a letter written by Dieter Hille (Engineering Officer U 181)of U 181, dated Sunday September 16th, 2001-I just recieved it today.

Walter Schmidt at 85 years young, passed away. He was the Torpedomixer and a Petty Officer on U 181. He is in a photo that shows 15 U 181 men wearing beards and this photo will be posted here soon.

I met him 1 year and 15 days ago-today. I was greatful to have met 10 of 12 living U 181 vets in Bad Camberg, Germany. I remember him very well as the man who sat directly across the table from me as my friend Susanne and I were treated to a lunch they bought us at Hauspohl. We had Apfelshorle and Jagerschnitzel.

This man was a very jovial man and was one who brought much laughter to our table. I am lucky to have the memory of seeing this Kriegsmarine veteran, along with several of his comrades, looking at two large photos taken of them by Second Watch officer, Otto Giese as they had just come back from the longest Uboat patrol of the war and were arriving in Bordeaux, France.

The other photo shows several men sitting on the conning tower of U 181. I mention these two photos because of my chance to witness something that has become a permanent part of my memory and life.

I saw several of these fine gentlemen, get some instant gratification at the sight of these two photos. They almost pulled a Three Stooges act by almost bumping heads, as they were gathered around the two photos trying to see who was whom.

I enjoyed that site very much, at having had a chance to give something to thesse men that brought happiness to them and brought back great memories--just at looking at two large black and white photos.

I had to grin at their excitement over the photos and wished I had had more than enough copies to have passed to every one of them. I was very fortunate to have had them sign two photos that I was keeping for myself.

I loved the chatter that the photos brought out of these great veterans and will never forget their smiles--the looks in their eyes. I remember with great fondness that Michael Muller, Bernhard Trenn, Gunther Bartussek, Josef Dick, Walter Pfeffer, Walter Schmidt, Leopold Scheba and my great friend, Karl Kaiser and Dieter Hille all at that moment, knew what I was about and that at that moment, I knew I was accepted--if not before the photos were seen.

I wished I could have done more for them at that moment. this is one of my ways of remembering--my friend--Walter Schmidt.

I do not think he would wish anyone to be sad for him but, its difficult not to feel thay way as I was only lucky enough to have the priviledge to spend two days with these fine people.

Rest in peace sir. [img]smile.gif[/img]

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Lost are only those, who abandon themselves) Hans-Ulrich Rudel.