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Kaiser, Karl ('U-181')

Date of birth:
September 15th, 1919 (Frankfurt am Main, Germany)
Date of death:
November 7th, 2020 (United States)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Promotions:
01.10.1939: Maschinengefreiter
01.10.1940: Maschinenobergefreiter
11.11.1941: Unteroffiziersanwärter
01.12.1941: Maschinenmaat
01.12.1942: Obermaschinenmaat

Career:
04.-10.1938: RAD 1/304 / RII / 4A - Mering bei Augsburg
01.11.1938: 14. S.St.A. (Schiffsstammabteilung) Glückstadt - Infantry training
01.03.-27.09.1939: Marineschule - Wesermünde
28.09.1939: Ubootsschule - Neustadt
22.11.1939: 6. Unterseebootsflotille
06.12.1939: Baubelehrung U-Boote - Deschimag Werft - Bremen
15.12.1939: appointed to the 'U-64' commanded by Kapitänleutnant Wilhelm Schulz
13.04.1940: 1st patrol in Herjangsfjord - North of Norway - airbombed and sunk, saved by Gebirgsjägern (8 KIA out of 54 sailors)
04.1940: 3 weeks leave
02.05.1940: appointed to the 'U-124' - Bremen, North Atlantic, Lorient
05.10.1940: Lazarett 2. U-Flotille for illness (boils and stomach inflammation)
23.01.-05.1941: appointed to the 'U-124' - 3 patrols in Middle Atlantic
01.06.1941: preparation to the NCO course 1. U.A.A.
19.09.1941: married
28.09.1941: NCO course - Marineschule - Wesermünde
31.01.1941: Baubelehrung 'U-181' - Deschimag Werft - Bremen
09.05.1941: Indienststellung 'U-181' commanded by Kapitänleutnant Wolfgang Lüth
10.05.1942-08.05.1945: appointed to the 'U-181' - 4 patrols as U-Bootfahrer 1 patrol in North Atlantic and 3 patrols in the Indian Ocean
08.05.1945-07.1948: British POW

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Machinenobergefreiter
Awarded on:
May 4th, 1941
signed by Vizeadmiral Dönitz
U-boot Kriegsabzeichen (ohne Brillianten)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Machinenobergefreiter
Awarded on:
May 4th, 1941
signed by Vizeadmiral Dönitz
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Obermachinenmaat
Awarded on:
October 15th, 1943
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Obermachinenmaat
Unit:
"U 181", 12. Unterseebootsflottille, Kriegsmarine
Awarded on:
March 29th, 1945
Besitzzeugnis signed by Wilhelm Dommes in Selatar the 20.04.1945

Received the DKiG in Singapore, presented by FzS Wilhelm Dommes (Singapore base Kommandant) and KzS Kurt Freiwald (CO U 181) on 7th April 1945 together with Wilhelm Linka and Franz Persch.
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Obermachinenmaat
Awarded on:
April 20th, 1945
in Shonan signed by Fregattenkapitän Wilhelm Dommes
U-Boots-Frontspange in Bronze
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Obermachinenmaat
Awarded on:
April 20th, 1945
in Shonan signed by Fregattenkapitän Wilhelm Dommes
U-Boots-Frontspange in Silber

Sources

Photo