Original World War I German naval memorial postcard honoring famed U-boat commander Kapitänleutnant Otto Weddigen, commander of U-29 and previously U-9.
The dramatic illustrated design features Weddigen in Imperial German naval uniform surrounded by a laurel wreath, with a German warship and submarines operating at sea above. Naval symbols including a ship's wheel, anchor, Imperial German eagle and maritime equipment appear below.
The German inscription reads:
“Kapitänleutnant Weddigen, Kommandant von U.29, erlitt den Heldentod Weddigen, commander of U-29, suffered a hero's death, 26 March 1915.”
Interestingly, the date printed on this contemporary memorial postcard is historically incorrect. Otto Weddigen and the crew of U-29 were actually lost on 18 March 1915, when the submarine was rammed and sunk by the British battleship HMS Dreadnought. This incorrect contemporary date makes the card an interesting example of how wartime news was recorded and circulated.
Weddigen was already famous for commanding U-9, which sank three British armored cruisers — HMS Aboukir, Hogue and Cressy — during the celebrated U-9 action of September 1914.
Published by:
Gustav Liersch & Co., Berlin S.W.
Card number 7297 appears at lower left.
The reverse is unused and bears an old dealer/price marking and stamp.
Condition: Attractive overall condition for an original WWI-era postcard. Strong image detail with expected age, edge and corner wear. Please examine both high-resolution photographs carefully for exact condition.
An excellent crossover collectible for collectors of WWI German Navy, Imperial German U-boats, Otto Weddigen, U-9, U-29, submarine warfare, naval history and military postcards.
Original period postcard — not a reproduction.
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