Prinz Eugen

Thanks for the aditionnal information Liberator,both sources suit . I figure that 8 of the wounded would have died from their wounds making a total of 60 casualties. I am very glad I got this picture. I bought a bunch of graves pictures, not knowing what I would get and among them i got this one.

 

Hello

I am a relative of one of the aircrew referred to above.

The aircraft was R1343 OJ-B.

My uncle was Sgt. Robert Crafts, the wireless operator on the lost crew. He was with the RCAF. The pilots were both Australian and the remaining crewmwmbers were with the RAF. They are buried in Kerfautras Cemetery in Brest.

The German crew from the Prinz Eugen were originally buried in Kerfautras but have been moved to the German military cemetery in Lesneven about 14km north of Brest.

I have done considerable research over the last two years on this topic. I have received invaluable assistance from a French researcher in Brest. Additionally I have met with a French author who's father witnessed the aircraft downing along with the subsequent explosion. His father recovered a piece of the aircraft which he has passed along to me.

He has published an account of his father's account of the night in the book
" La Bretagne Dans La Bataille De L'Atlantique" page 109.

The aircraft was actually struck by a flare dropped by one of its own as it approached the ship. It instantly became the primary target in the harbour and prior to crashing beside the ship managed to release its bomb stick.

In the book " The Story of the Prinz Eugen" by Fritz-Otto Busch which is an original German text translated to English the diaries of the crew are revealed.

The Captain did not actually know that the ship had been hit until well after the attack as the explosion was internal and not observed from the bridge. The ships First Officer, Otto Stoos was later found with the other lost crew.
Chapter nine in this book details the crew's acount of the attack by the RAF.

I have visited both Kerfautras and Lesneven and have several photos including that of Otto Stoos. If anyone is interested in any other details including that of the other Wellington lost that night please advise.

Regards

Eric

 

Hello Eric, this is a really nice proposal. Thank you for the additionnal information, it gives a story to my grave picture. Other details from the other Wellington would be very appreciated. I would be interested in the grave pictures too. I don't know whether you have the names from the other sailors but among my collection I have other German graves, possibly from Kerfautras, I will post one , maybe you"ll recognize names.

 

Be more than happy to send off photos. My computer skills are somewhat lacking so if my son cannot figure out how to download for me I can email what I have directly to you.

there is one site that can be googled, believe its called the Prinz Eugen, Kreigsmarine..I will locate when I have a bit more time.

The site contains a complete history of the Prinz Eugen and if you scroll down about halfway you will see the buriel of the sixty sailors taking place.

I assumed this was at Lesneven however when I visited Lesneven I was somewhat puzzled by the background in the photo. After discussing it with my contact in Brest he advised that the graves were transfered from Kerfautras to Lesneven, the date is unclear. Therefore the picture of the original burial takes place at Kerfautras. I suspect the photo you have provided may be from the original graves at kerfautras, that is however a guess.

Kerfautras currently contains the graves of several WW1 German soldiers and about 200 allied soldiers from WW2 if memory serves correct.

Lesneven has the graves of the sixty soldiers in one row at the rear right quarter of the cemetery. First Officer Otto Stooss along with a close aid were buried near the beginning of the row. Again I assume the remains are there and these are not just markers with engraved names based on info. my contact in Brest has provided. Also as was mentioned in a previous post about 52 sailors died on July 2, and about eight more with a few more days.
I am assuming they passed on in hospital shortly after the raid.

Regards

Eric

 

Eric I will send you my details. You may also use my 1941 picture if you wish. I will post the other one later today, not certain this is from the Eugen though. There is another fine Mod on this forum who may be interested and have info for you too. His name is Erich.

 

Thank you Skipper

I will look forward to corresponding with you and anyone else who has an interest on this one.

Regards

Eric

 

Eric, my details are in your private letter box.

 

Hi Eric,

would like to consult some details about this raid on Brest and would be pleased if you can contact me as there is no contact information in your profile.

Many thanks in advance

Pavel
cz_raf(a)yahoo.com
(a) please replace by @

 

Hi Skipper, please can you also contact me?

Many thanks

Pavel
cz_raf(a)yahoo.com
(a) please replace by @

 

Hello Pavel , just sent you an email.

 

more prinz private photo

Schwerer Kreuzer Prinz Eugen

 

Danke Domherr, I like the two pictures of the July 2nd 1941 burial at Brest Kerfautras. This is where the picture I posted was taken too.

 

A new addition to my collection. This picture came in from Germany today!

It is the Kriegsmarine in Brest, although not the Eugen, still very interesting.

The caption is "Minesuchboote and Kohlenpier in Brest" Mineseekers at the Coal pier in Brest. They are apparently two ships of the same class and look like twin ships. Too bad Ican't read the text on thecranes. Notice the KM sailors on the quai.

 

Beautiful skipper, do you have a date of the foto ? still must be pre-44 before Normandie invasion obviously and no 2cm single or Zwillings on the outside cupolas.....

E ~

 

I have scanned at the highest resolution possible but I am having trouble with some of the details. Yet it is a beautiful picture. My guess would be early or mid war. There is no way that the KM would take useless risks by putting two ships at the same spot without any apparent protection after 1943.

 

ah but it happened over and over again though Skipper and that is how the KM lost too many ships

 

I wonder if KohlenPier is a name or the place where coal was loaded on the steam ships.

 

bringing on needed stocks I would say affirmitive on that one ....... plus other needed goods.

I am noting the overhead cranes installed

 

thanks Larry have a few of those and the classic by the chief gunner of the Schiff : Paul Schmalenbach "Kreuzer Prinz Eugen.....unter 3 Flaggen. one of the best ship type books I own, a rather large fold out map schematic of the ship during the 1945 ocean to land duels with the Soviets. incredible details within

E ~