Photos of U-756

        These photos were generously provided by Christian Joest.  Christian's uncle, Obersteuermann Kurt Joest, was the Navigator aboard U-756.

Commissioning Ceremony - 30 December 1941

U-756 Kommandant Oberleutnant Klaus Harney welcomes an Admiral to the boat's commissioning ceremony at the Kriegsmarinewerft (KMW) at Wilhelmshaven

Oberleutnant Harney welcomes a second Admiral

Oberleutnant Harney welcomes a Stabsoffiziere

Oberleutnant Harney welcomes a Marinebeamte (Navy Official)

The crew in ranks - in the front row from left to right, Second Watch Officer Oberfähnrich zur See Hans Straube, Chief Engineer, Leutnant (Ing.) Karl Hellfeldt , First Watch Officer Leutnant zur See Heinz Lücken.  Obersteuermann Kurt Joest is behind the First Watch Officer.

Saluting an Admiral

Oberleutnant Harney addresses the crew - The First Watch Officer Leutnant zur See Lücken (with his back to the camera) reports.

Commissioning Dinner - the evening of 30 December 1941

Crew members and shipyard representatives enjoy a beer at the commissioning celebration

Crew members singing at the commissioning celebration

(L-R) Second Watch Officer Oberfähnrich zur See Hans Straube, an Obermaschinist, Obersteuermann Joest at the head of the table and and First Watch Officer Leutnant zur See Lücken

Crew members pose with the waitresses

Crew members pose for the camera (left half)

Crew members pose for the camera (right half) (Lower row, left to right:  Oberleutnant Harney, Chief Engineer, Leutnant (Ing.) Karl Hellfeldt, Second Watch Officer Oberfähnrich zur Hans Straube

The boat is taken over by the crew 31 December 1941

An Admiral and shipyard representative board the boat the day after the commissioning ceremony

U-756 casts off from the Kriegsmarinewerft at Wilhelmshaven

U-756 in the harbor at Wilhelmshaven

(L-R on the bridge) The shipyard representative, Oberleutnant Harney and Obersteuermann Joest - The boat's commissioning pennant flies from the mast - the boat's UAK symbol is painted in white aft and above the conning tower emblem, the vertical bar and circle indicated that the boat was built in the Kreigsmarinewerft at Wilhelmshaven in the series U-752 to U-776

The boat's conning tower emblem

Obersteuermann Kurt Joest

Obersteuermann Joest in his blue jacket and dagger with portepee (twisted silver cord with an oak at one end) at Wilhelmshaven

Obersteuermann Joest - His shoulder boards have two pips, one at the outboard end and one in the center; his Obersteuermann insignia is pinned on in between the pips.

Obersteuermann Joest in his coat with dagger - probably on the day of the commissioning ceremony

Obersteuermann Joest

Obersteuermann Joest

Ice in the Baltic near Kiel between 6 and 24 January 1942

The crew chips ice during U.A.K. trials off Kiel

The boat's 88 mm cannon covered in ice

Transit to the east in the Baltic 18 - 20 April 1942

Second Watch Officer Oberfähnrich zur See Hans Straube (L) and Obersteuermann Kurt Joest (R)

Oberfähnrich zur See Kempkes is wearing the white watch cap

Oberfähnrich zur See Kempkes

It is probable that the crew is assembled on deck to render honors to the WWI battleship KMS SCHLESIEN which served as an icebreaker and accompanied the boat as far as Cape Arkona on its transit to the east.

Repairs to the temporary ice shield - probably on 20 April 1942

Obersteuermann Joest performs repairs to the ice shield protecting the boat's bow torpedo tube caps

 

Obersteuermann Joest is wearing a Draeger Tauchretter and is attached to the boat with a lifeline

Arrival in Hela - 20 April 1942

The ship's boat is removed from its storage compartment (portside, in the overdeck just forward of where the men are standing) and is launched to take pictures of U-756.

Tactical training and torpedo firing in the Baltic  21 April - 5 August 1942

Another type VII boat passes by

Semaphore character T

Semaphore character Y

Another type VII boat passing

The boat dives

The crew goes hunting, probably at Hela

Rabbits for dinner hung from the after antenna wire

Oberleutnant Harney

Oberfähnrich zur See Straubeholds the megaphone Obersteuermann Kurt Koest is to the left.  The Kammendant Oberleutnant Harney is in the center with his back to the camera.

Oberfähnrich zur See Straube with the megaphone

First Watch Officer Leutnant Lücken

Obersteuermann Kurt Joest

Oberleutnant Harney

L-R Oberleutnant Harney and First Watch Officer Leutnant zur See Lücken

L-R First Watch Officer Leutnant zur See Lücken and Obersteuermann Joest

First Watch Officer Leutnant Lücken

Obersteuermann Joest

Obersteuermann Joest

L-R Obersteuermann Joest, Chief Engineer, Leutnant (Ing.) Karl Hellfeldt and Second Watch Officer Oberfähnrich Straube

Looking down on the bridge from the attack periscope - the temporary mast for torpedo loading is in place.  Oberfähnrich zur See Hans Straube sitting with his foot on the pedestal for the Überwasserzieloptik (U.Z.O.) has been promoted to Leutnant zur See

Leutnant zur See Hans Straube

Chief Engineer, Leutnant (Ing.) Karl Hellfeldt

Leutnant zur See Hans Straube

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
                                                 5   August Entered Kiel
                                                 18 August Departed Kiel
 
 
We had just had 7-weeks final adjustments in Königsberg, and were preparing to arm for the front here in Kiel, but not without hearing, that we must go into the shipyard one more time for one week.  This was pretty nice.  Why?  The rudder grumbled too loudly; it was installed incorrectly for us by the shipyard.  Then we rushed around incredibly in order to meet the first escort.  The 5th (Flottilla) has supported us well and we have benefitted greatly from your advice and assistance.  Now, at last, it is clear that it is time for us to do it alone.  We will forever be in your dept.  And, if our torpedoes reach the enemy and the first steamer of his is struck, it would be struck in recognition of you.