Helmuth Neuerburg

-Born in Strasboorg

-Played violin and loved to draw.

-Joined the marines at 19.

- Naval Cadet, class of 1936 (year of the Olympics in Berlin).

-By 1940, officer pilot flying N. Sea reconnaissance.

-In 1941,married and then had 2 children, a boy and girl.

-In 1943, moved to U-boats from the naval air arm and spent next 21 months in training.

-Late January 1944, led U-boat U-869 training in the Baltic Sea for several months.

-Early Febuary 1945, died on U-869 after an undocumented incident.

Crew of U-869

-Young group, the average age was 21. 22 were teenagers and one was only 17 years old.

-Commander- Helmuth Neuerburg his first U-boat trip. He had been a fighter pilot.

-First Officer was Siegfrield Brandt at the age of 21.

-Chief Engineer was Ludwig Kessler at the age of 30.

-Radio Master was Martin Horenburg (It was his knife that was found.)

-Sr Radio Operator was Herbert Guschevoski at the age of 22.

U-boat Facts

-Between 1939 & 1945, Germany built 1,167 U-boats.

-Many U-boats came close to the east coast of America.

-In 1940,  U-boats sank 66 ships in one month.

-Out of 1,167 u-boats 757 were put out of commission before the end of the war.

-Out of the 859 U-Boats officially put in service, 648 were sunk or captured at sea, a 75% loss.

World War 2 U-boat Facts

Life onboard

- 60 crewmen living in tight quarters for periods up to 30 days at sea.
- Crewmen slept in 3 shifts on tiny bunks.
- Crewmen experienced uncomfortable temperatures due to minimal boat insulation and cold and hot waters.
- Rough seas translated into rough rides for crewmen.
- There were not showers or room for a change of clothes.
- Poor ventilation, created a stinky environment after a very short time.
- Toilet flushing was tricky.
- Trash was thrown over board or shot out the torpedo tubes.-
- Only had 1 pair of black underwear which was worn for the month at sea.