Unpublished Photo Lot from the Estate of Wilhelm Kruse – Radio Operator on U-48 the Highest Tonnage Scoring U-Boat of WWII

Famous U-48, the Highest Tonnage Scoring U-Boat of WWII – an Unpublished Photo Lot from the Estate of Wilhelm Kruse – Radio Operator on U-48. A unique opportunity to acquire an historical item of the U-Boat War. I purchased approximately 60 photos from a well known militaria dealer in Hamburg Germany, all of which were taken by and from the estate of Wilhelm Kruse, the Radio Operator on U-48. This lot includes 2 images of 5 members of the crew wearing newly bestowed Iron Crosses, photos taken in Berlin (Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Victory Column, Berlin Olympiad Stadium, a street market with soldiers, and an unidentified house or building).  Photos are 2-3/4″ x 3-3/4″.

U-48 was the highest scoring German U-Boat of WWII with a total of 51 ships sunk amounting to 299,477 tons BRT. It was commanded by 5 different Captains during its service time. Herbert Schultze, one commander was the #8 highest scoring U-Boat ace; and Heinrich Bleichrodt, was the #14 highest scoring ace. U-48 was responsible for sinking the Benares, a cruise liner, which carried 90 children being taken from England to Canada. 70 of the 90 children perished. The crew of U-48 had no idea that the children were on board. U-48 saw active service until June 1941 when it was replaced and used as a training vessel. On May 3, 1945, she was scuttled by her crew. All photos displayed were taken by Wilhelm Kruse, the ship’s wireless radio operator between April of 1939 and July of 1941 while under the command of Herbert Schultze. These photos have never been published and came from Kruse’s estate.