Bronze Kriegsmarine U-Boat Plaque 2nd ULD (2. Unterseeboots-Lehrdivision) WW2 2WK

Bronze Kriegsmarine U-Boat Plaque 2nd ULD (2. Unterseeboots-Lehrdivision) WW2 2WK
€875.00

Very scarce, if not unique, heavy bronze plaque for the second U-boat training of the kriegsmarine. It certainly appears that this original plaque served as the model for the image in Georg Högel's book of U-boat emblems. See the attached image for a close up comparison.

Size: 13x16cm

Material: Bronze

Weight: see photographs

The 2nd U-boat Training Division (2. Unterseeboots-Lehr-Division or 2. U.L.D.) was a World War II Kriegsmarine training unit established in November 1940 and based in Gotenhafen (now Gdynia, Poland) on the Baltic Sea. Formed in January 1941, the 22nd Flotilla was placed directly under the administrative control of the 2. ULD

 

  • Function: Responsible for accommodating, instructing, and training new U-boat crews and specialist engineering officers before active combat deployment. 

 

  • Notable Facility / Accommodation: The luxury liner-turned-hospital ship-turned-barracks Wilhelm Gustloff served as a floating accommodation and headquarters ship for the 2nd U-Training Division from 1940 until January 1945.

 

  • Personnel: Trained numerous German submariners and hosted high-ranking officials, including Admiral Karl Dönitz. It also saw notable U-boat commanders pass through its ranks, such as Korvettenkapitän Wilhelm Bleichrodt.

 

  • Fate: The division's operations in Gotenhafen came to a head in January 1945 amid the massive Soviet advance, culminating in the tragic sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff while evacuating refugees and naval personnel. 

More photo's upon request

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