Please Help! Looking for information on my great grandfather.

Hi, My name is Cassie and I am new to the forum. I do apologize if I am posting this in the wrong thread. I am looking for any information on my great grandfather who served as a mechanic for the German Navy during World War Two. Here is some of the information that I was able to find: his name was Hans Nielsen, born July 10, 1913 in Grabau-Holstein Germany. His mother's name was Margarete A. Nielsen-Sprick born February 1, 1886 and his father's name was Hans Christian date of birth unknown. Last known Address for Hans Nielsen: in the year 1939 - Gothaerstr 49 Bremen Germany. Was said to be shipped out in 1941 on board the M.S Fusilier K.M.D Konigsberg, Hutomaller 98. The ship was said to have gone missing in the Baltic Sea November 8, 1944 in the Raum Memel area and that everyone was declared dead on November 20, 1944. I am looking for any type of records, photographs of him or his relatives (his mother/ father/ brothers/ sisters/ cousins - any relation) or the vessel he was aboard. Thank you for assisting me with any information you may happen to find. I sincerely appreciate the help. Cassie

 

Welcome, Cassie. This is indeed the place for your post. We do have some members who might know how to access German records. Be patient, though. Not everyone logs on to the Forum daily. It may take a little time. You have provided quite a bit of information, so that should give them enough to at least start. Please check back regularly and, if you think of anything else to add, be sure to post it here.

 

Thank you both for taking the time to respond so quickly. I look forward to becoming much more active on these forums within the immediate future as there is a wealth of knowledge here! Lets hope someone can help me learn more about my family!

 

Cassie, welcome.

I just tried a 'Google' search for the Fusilier, and came up with a web page which seems to have some information about the sinking of the vessel.

Unfortunately my Lithuanian (I think it is anyway) is not that good, read non-existant.

Anyway, the web page is: Nardymo centras "OKTOPUSAS". It seems that there are people diving down to the wreck.

Hope it helps - if you can find someone to translate or if you can yourself.

Mark

 

Taking Mark's lead, I did the same Google search and found what seems to be a YouTube video of a dive on the Fusilier:

[video=youtube;i5pxEVlAgKs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5pxEVlAgKs[/video]

 

Hey there,
Thank you both very much for the help, the video is great. My grandmother is very much looking forward to seeing it. She never got to know her father so this will be very appreciated by her and myself. Thank you again!
Cassie

 

Hi Cassie - welcome to WW2F.

This site should be of some help to you: http://www.dd-wast.de/ as I believe they also hold navy records too.

The German war graves site (http://www.volksbund.de/graebersuche.html) have a reference to him:



Sorry the image is a little blurred, if you search the site yourself it will be clearer.

This is the Google translation:

Hans Nielsen
Hans Nielsen has not yet been transferred to a military cemetery established by the People's Alliance.
According to our information, his grave is still at the following location: Palanga at sea
The national union is trying to find on the basis of war graves agreement the graves of German soldiers and give them time to secure resting places. We hope to see in the not too distant future, the grave of Hans Nielsen and transfer the remains to a military cemetery to.
Name and personal details of the above, are also listed in the memorial book of war cemetery. You are welcome to order a sample from us.
Please note that in some cemeteries is laid out is not the current version, hence the name of your loved one is possibly not yet listed.
Name: Nielsen
First name: Hans
Grade: engineer
Date of birth: 07/10/1913
Birthplace: Grabau
Todes-/Vermisstendatum: 11/20/1944
Todes-/Vermisstenort: Palanga north Memel

Note for cemetery visitors
In some cemeteries, the people of the covenant being built in Eastern Europe, the names and grave-marking is not done yet. It is therefore advisable before a planned trip an inquiry at the national office in Kassel.
Message in progress changes
If Hans Nielsen is related to you, and you want to be informed of our progress on changes, please fill out the form below. We then create a process to keep you informed of news can thus.
Please check carefully before starting to hand your documents, whether it really is your family. If you are not sure, please indicate this in the text box of the form.

Good luck with your research.

Jules.

 

That's kind of you to say so. Thanks. And hopefully Cassie will find what she is looking for

 

I agree with Lou. Nice research job!!

 

Jules, I can't thank you enough for the research you have done! My grandmother and I will be going a head with filling out these forms. It would be nice to have a grave site to put him to rest. Thank you again. I sincerely appreciate all the help!
Cassie

 

Hi Cassie, I'm pleased I could be of help to you and your grandmother - it was a pleasure

Jules.