CVE21/A16-2   (001)                                                                                                  OF10/Bn.

From:	The Commander Task Group 21.16 (CO U.S.S. BLOCK ISLAND).
To:	The Commander in Chief, United States Fleet.
Via:	The Commander Fleet Air, Norfolk.
Subject:	German Prisoners of War Taken 14 January 1944 - Report on.
References:	(a)  ALLANT 241740 of July 1943.
	(b)  VCNO conf ltr Op-16-F-9, A16-2(4), serial 01227316 of 19 May, 1942.
Enclosures:	(A)  Report on Treatment of Officer Prisoners.
	(B)  WENZEL, Wolfgang - Medical Report Regarding.
	(C)  Copy of USS PARROTT ltr DD218/A16-2, serial CF-3 of 16 January 1944.
	(D)  Copy of Inventory of Personal Property of Prisoners of War, furnished by USS PARROTT under date of 16 January.
	(E)  Copy of USS PARROTT ltr DD218A16-3, serial no. 1 of 20 January 1944.
	(F)  List of German Prisoners Taken Aboard BULMER (DD222).
	(G)  Inventory of Personal Effects of German Prisoners Picked up January 14, 1944, furnished by USS BULMER (DD222).
	(H)  Copy of letter dated 16 January 1944 from the Medical Officer USS BULMER to Medical Officer USS BLOCK ISLAND regarding prisoners receiving medical attention.

        1.        Shortly after midnight, during the morning of 14 January, the ship received from Radio Washington this dispatch:  "AT 132225 UNKNOWN ORIGINATOR REPORTED FOLLOWING IN BRITISH NAVAL CODE QUOTE AM OVER ENEMY SUBMARINE IN POSITION 44-20 NORTH 20-45 WEST.  ENEMY SUBMARINE PREVIOUSLY REPORTED WAS WHEN FIRST SIGHTED ON COURSE 360⁰ ESTIMATED SPEED SEVEN KNOTS UNQUOTE COMINCH TO YOU."  At that time the ship was about sixty miles west of the position indicated, itself engaged in an attack, by means of its destroyer screen, upon three submarines.

        2.        At 1210 GCT, the task group was at position 45⁰ 05' North, 20⁰ 21' West, conducting anti-submarine patrol by aircraft, when Lieutenant (jg) W. F. Pattison and Ensign D. S. Bedsole, in a TBF-1 and an FM-1

- 1 -

CVE21/A16-2

Subject:  German Prisoners of War Taken 14 January 1944 - Report on.

- 2 -

CVE21/A16-2

Subject:  German Prisoners of War Taken 14 January 1944 - Report on.

        It was later learned that Kapitan Leutnant Wenzel, at an undetermined time during or after abandonment of his ship, had "in a moment of depression," placed a pistol in his mouth and fired it.  The amazing fact was that he had suffered only minor injury, the bullet lodging in the back of his throat, embedded in the flesh.  He was in no great pain, survived twelve hours in a raft with no ill effects, was given only first aid treatment by the medical officer of the U.S.S. BULMER, eating and talking normally meanwhile.  Three days later, on board the U.S.S. BLOCK ISLAND, the bullet was removed by operation and Kapitan Leutnant Wenzel has recovered with no complications.  See medical reports, enclosures (E) and (H).

        PARROTT reported twenty-six prisoners including two officers, while the total recovered by the BULMER was seventeen prisoners, including three officers and one warrant officer.  Testimony of these men was that no other members of the crew survived besides those picked up.  The thorough search of the vicinity made by both surface vessels and aircraft supports the testimony.  The survivors variously state that from four to seven men "drowned," including one warrant officer.  Whether any of these were trapped or killed in the submarine, or drowned in abandon ship operations, is not clear.  Testimony of some survivors was that all men left the ship safely.

        At 1608, PARROTT came alongside the BLOCK ISLAND to deliver prisoners.  Transfer of two officers, one petty officer, and three enlisted men had been completed by breeches buoy when developments in the tactical situation required that PARROTT cast off.  It was not possible to complete the transfer of prisoners until 16 January, when the remainder were brought aboard from both vessels.  At the time, both ships sent over all gear, personal effects, etc. plus inventory and reports, enclosures (C) to (H) inclusive.

        It is understood that, during the two days, both destroyers continued rigid segregation of officers and enlisted men; but on account of limited space it was not possible to separate petty officers and enlisted men.  Also, it is to be remembered that during twelve hours in the water with the rafts in close proximity to each other there was opportunity for the captain to pass word to all hands concerning security, or even possibly any prepared story he might want the survivors to give rescuers.  The BULMER had been able to distribute Red Cross kits of clothing and toilet articles to the prisoners, but PARROTT, having none aboard, issued dungaree shirts and trousers contributed by the men.

- 3 -

CVE21/A16-2

Subject:  German Prisoners of War Taken 14 January 1944 - Report on.

        Careful segregation of the three groups - officers, petty officers, and enlisted men - was maintained during their transfer from the destroyers and their stay on BLOCK SLAND.  As each one came aboard, he was taken to his appropriate group on deck and told that temporarily he would not be allowed to converse with his shipmates.  Guards standing by saw to it that this order was obeyed, and no attempt was made to go against it.  The first group, which came aboard on 14 January, consisted of Stabassistenzarzt Reinhardt, the medical officer; Leutnant zur See Huhnefeld; Wolfgang Schneider, a petty officer; and three enlisted men.  They were fed some soup and taken to their respective quarters and given a shower and change of clothes before questioning.  It should be repeated that, of all the prisoners who were taken aboard, no one was allowed to talk to his fellows before questioning.

        4.        Interrogation of prisoners was limited strictly toward securing information itemized in reference (a), ALLANT 241740 of July 1943.  Stabsassistenzartat Reinhardt and Leutnant zur See Huhnefeld were questioned informally by Lieutenant (jg) Roy L. Swift, ship's intelligence officer, through Ensign Roland L. Warren, prisoner of war officer, who conversed with all prisoners in German.  They gave their name, rank, and address of next of kin, said they had no service number (being officers) and described in a general way the air attack, putting the time between 2300 and 2400, 13 January, speaking of one plane, and attesting that the submarine tried to submerge after the attack but failed because she was taking in water.  They described conditions in the life rafts, and beyond this disclosed no additional information.

        The petty officer and the three enlisted men were talked to at some length, because of the immediate tactical situation in which any pertinent information would have been invaluable to the task group's anti-submarine operations.  When asked the number or name of their ship, or the port from which it sailed, the answered almost to a man, "Das darf ich nicht sagen,"  "I am not allowed to tell that."  This was to be the response elicited from all prisoners who were so questioned, indicating that they had been well indoctrinated in security, and also that perhaps while they were still in the rafts Captain Wenzel had taken the opportunity to caution them as to the information which they must not divulge.  Indirectly, however, while ostensibly attempting to determine whether or not it was worth while to continue the search for survivors, it was gathered that the total complement was approximately fifty, and Captain Wenzel later stated that seven men had been lost, (which, added to the forty-three survivors, would bring the total to exactly fifty).  One man said four petty officers and some radiomen, one of whom was named Neimauer, were lost.  Once the prisoners were questioned, they were allowed to converse with their fellows, but

- 4 -

CVE21/A16-2

Subject:  German Prisoners of War Taken 14 January 1944 - Report on.

always officers with officers, petty officers with petty officers, enlisted men with enlisted men.

        The second and last group, brought aboard from the PARROTT and the BULMER on 16 January, consisted of the three remaining officers, including Captain Wenzel, one warrant officer, twelve petty officers and twenty-one enlisted men.  Since by this time the tactical situation no longer warranted any special action, these men were questioned only briefly, asked to verify their name, rank or rate, serial number, and address of next of kin, and otherwise were not pressed for any information which they did not care to give freely.

        Because of the peculiarities of their situation, three of the prisoners deserve special attention.  It is believed that perhaps more knowledge can be gained from these three men than from any of the others:

        (a)  Jack Mansfeld is a Matrosenobergefreiter from Luxembourg.  During questioning he proved to be a congenial sort, and since he was from Luxembourg, a little more time was given to him, and he was not handled so formally, with the thought that under proper cultivation he might be led to cooperate in a valuable manner with the Intelligence authorities.  He volunteered the information that although he had joined the German Navy of his own free will, it was only because of the fact that he would have had to go anyway.  This he remarked with a shrug of his shoulders.  He did not seem to be on guard against questioning, and for this very reason, since the value of his information for tactical purposes was improbable, he was left without further probing.

        (b)  Kurt Kissling, Maschinenobergefreiter, had in his possession a diary and two brothel chits which helped establish the date of the submarine's sailing, the port from which it had sailed, and the length of its cruise.  These things he had taken from him on the destroyer, and he knew that they were in his captors' possession.  No attempt was made to seize upon this lead, but he showed concern at the possibility that his officers and shipmates might hear of his blunder, and he was assured that they would not hear of it if he, in turn, would show through his cooperation that he deserved such a favor.  He was a very worried boy.

- 5 -

CVE21/A16-2

Subject:  German Prisoners of War Taken 14 January 1944 - Report on.

        (c)  Edmund Brodke, Bootsmaat, was born in Poland but educated in Germany.  He was not the only one of the petty officers who showed a willingness and even outright desire to talk to someone.  He volunteered all sorts of information about himself, mentioning how hard it was on his mother under such circumstances to see her son go off to fight for a foreign land, and emphasizing that his older brothers and sisters were married to Poles or Dutch or French, not to Germans.  It is felt very strongly that this petty officer might possibly be brought to see the desirability of an Allied victory, if indeed he does not feel so already.  He was told not to communicate anything about his attitude to his fellow petty officers, since they would make it miserable for him if they knew it, and he wa assured that his confidences would be kept from them.

        From the time the prisoners were brought aboard until they were turned over to the appropriate shore authorities, no one, except the following was allowed access to the prisoners, by order of the Commanding Officer:

        (a)  Commander Wait, Executive Officer.

        (b)  Lieutenant Commander Schumacher, President of the Officers' Mess, who speaks German and who made it a policy to sit with them and take part in and observe their (the officers') dinner-table conversation.

        (c)  Lieutenant Commander Custer, Medical Officer.

        (d)  Lieutanant (jg) Swift, Ship's Intelligence Officer.

        (e)  Lieutenant (jg) MacInnes, Chaplain.

        (f)  Ensign Warren, Prisoner of War Officer.

- 6 -

CVE21/A16-2

Subject:  German Prisoners of War Taken 14 January 1944 - Report on.

        The prisoners were messed as follows:  Officers in the Wardroom, segregated and in company with either Lieutenant Commander Schumacher, Lieutenant (jg) MacInnes, or Ensign Warren (and guards); petty officers and enlisted men in separate groups in the crew's mess.  It being some distance from the forward compartments where the petty officers and crew members were quartered to the crew's mess where they ate, they were conducted, with arms folded across chests, by the ship's police to and from the mess hall.  When conditions permitted, the three groups were conducted to the forward well deck, where they were allowed to exercise in an organized fashion, but according to their own desires.  They were naturally kept under adequate guard at all times while on the ship.

        As to disposition and morale, the three groups may be described as follows:  Among the officers, perhaps the most reasonable is Lt. zur See Huhnefeld.  In discussions with the Prisoner of War Officer, he showed more willingness to make concessions than did any of the other officers.  It is felt that quite possibly he may be brought, through careful cultivation, to a view-point in which he would be willing to cooperate in the giving of information.  This could not be brought about suddenly, however.  As to the officers in general, they seemed to become a little impatient with their treatment and a little more demanding in their requests for favors after the first week.  They always conducted themselves in a courteous manner, however, and frequently voiced their appreciation for the kind of treatment they were afforded.

        The petty officers were inclined to be rather "haughty" from the beginning.  They objected strenuously to having their hair cut, and one or two of the capitulated only when threatened with force.  Typical of their attitude was their objection when the Chaplain cut down their cigarette rations to four per day (due to a shortage of Red Cross cigarettes under his custody), an objection not voiced by the enlisted men.

        This last group, the enlisted men, was varied, being so large, but in general they handled themselves very well, being polite and grateful and even accommodating.  Their morale was excellent, but they were not surly, and they showed appreciation at the food they received, at being allowed to exercise, etc.

        5.        On the evening of the day he was transferred aboard the BLOCK ISLAND, Captain Wenzel made two requests to the Commanding Officer.  This was immediately after he had been cautioned that, although he and his men would receive good treatment, any false move on their part would mean that the guards would shoot and shoot to kill.

- 7 -

CVE21/A16-2

Subject:  German Prisoners of War Taken 14 January 1944 - Report on.

        Captain Wenzel thereupon made his requests in approximately the following words (in German, through Ensign Warren, who acted as interpreter) "In that connection, I wonder if you would ask your Captain if I might be allowed to address my crew and tell them how they are to conduct themselves, and also, I wonder if it would be possible for us to have a memorial service for our departed comrades."

        The Commanding Officer responded that the granting of the first request was impossible, but that some arrangement would be made for a memorial service.  In accordance with instructions issued for the handling of prisoners of war, however, the memorial service was held three separate times, one for each of the three groups, and they were kept segregated throughout.  The service consisted of a short opening prayer, a portion of the usual verses from the Bible which are read at funerals, and a longer, final prayer.  After Chaplain MacInnes had finished each paragraph, the German translation was read by Ensign Warren.

        Captain Wenzel and his men showed a great appreciation for being allowed the service, but it is repeated that throughout the process each prisoner was with only his respective group.

        6.        Prepared for delivery to the Commandant Fifth Naval District (Office of Naval Intelligence), is a docket for each prisoner, containing such papers or personal effects as were identified with him, his picture as taken aboard the BLOCK ISLAND, and tentative notes on the information revealed from his interrogation and from a cursory study of his personal effects.  Other unidentified papers are also included in dockets so marked.

        There follows a summary of pertinent information concerning the submarine, its crew, its operation, as indicated but not established.  Also added is a compilation of general statements made by members of the submarine's crew on various occasions, submitted as an indication of their attitude as conditioned by current German propaganda.

        (a)  The U-boat was known familiarly to the officers and crew as "LILO," number unknown, though on a cap which one of the enlisted men fashioned out of canvas he drew a picture of a 300-ton submarine and inscribed it "S-55."  Tonnage of this crew's U-boat was indicated to be 517 or 540.

- 8 -

CVE21/A16-2

Subject:  German Prisoners of War Taken 14 January 1944 - Report on.

        (b)  The submarine may have been at sea during these periods:  July 27-29, September 6-7, September 27 - November 18, November 26-27, December 26 - January 13.

        (c)  About 11 January, as indicated by a navigation data card recovered, the submarine was at 41⁰ 28' North, 17⁰ 17' West, which was in the eastern edge of the area being patrolled at that time by a pack of about a dozen U-boats.  Knowing that CVE's were operating in the area, it was the policy to submerge an hour before dawn, surfacing again an hour after sunset.

        (d)  On the night of 13 January, at about eleven o'clock, the submarine was on the surface, charging batteries.  None of the lookouts heard the plane which attacked them until too late, because of the noise coming from their own ship through the open hatches.

        (e)  The attack was made in three stages:  (1)  A bombing run in which two bombs were dropped; (2)  A strafing run fore and aft by machine guns, believed to be 50 caliber or 20 mm.; (3)  A run in which two more bombs were dropped, followed by strafing from the tunnel gun just after the plane passed over.  It was not stated whether there was illumination during these attacks.

        (f)  The commander attempted to take his craft down, but found it leaking badly, whereupon he gave orders to abandon ship.  A number of the survivors were wearing an adaptation of the Momsen lung, combined with life jacket.  Whether they used escape cells is not known but considered unlikely.  After the survivors were in the water the plane passed once more, illuminated the scene, and, apparently satisfied, departed.  Shortly thereafter, the submarine went down by the stern.

        (g)  Aside from the Captain's gesture at suicide, which has been mentioned by no other member of the ship's company, the rest of the night passed without incident.  They saw the BLOCK ISLAND's planes circling the oil slick several minutes before the pilot saw them.

        (h)  One of the officers mentioned that had first heard of the sinking of the SCHARNHORST seven days after putting to sea.

- 9 -

CVE21/A16-2

Subject:  German Prisoners of War Taken 14 January 1944 - Report on.

        (i)  The deck gun forward of the conning tower on the submarine had been removed when aircraft became more of a menace than surface craft.  The officers spoke of the quadruple mount of the after platforms of current submarines, without indicating that theirs was so equipped.

        (j)  It was asserted that a "milch cow" submarine, approximately as long as the regular submarine, carries as crew of 75.

        (k)  Mention was made by the medical officer of having picked up "three American survivors in 1941."  Whether that was on this ship was not indicated.

        (l)  A member of the crew spoke of the BLOCK ISLAND as having a speed of twenty-two knots (actually eighteen).  He thought the ship's home port would be New York.

        (m)  In unguarded moments, the crew spoke experiences in France, but carefully refrained from mention of specific places.

        (n)  On one occasion one of the guards, who spoke a little German, was locked in the enlisted men's compartment, unarmed, when as routine "general quarters" was sounded.  The prisoners inquired if it were an alarm.  When the guard tried to tell them it was only a drill, one scoffed at him, saying that it was the real thing.  "It's the real thing, and we'll surely torpedo you.  Maybe forty Germans will be killed.  Who cares?  We'll take down six hundred (sic) Yanks with us."  The alarm seemed to make them talkative; for the next few minutes the men spoke freely, boastingly, the gist of their conversation as follows:  "If the subs don't get the ship, long range bombers will. . . The Meserschmidt will do 790 kilometers per hour and the Focke-Wulfe even better. . .  Out of every hundred bombers the Yanks send over, fifty are shot down.  We have seen that with our own eyes.  One wave of seven hundred bombers came over Germany; half of them were downed and the Yanks got only twenty-five German fighters.  The Yanks apparently have plenty of planes, but they are running out of trained pilots. . .    Another month - - - and we bomb New York!. . .  We have a 9 mm. gun which

- 10 -

CVE21/A16-2

Subject:  German Prisoners of War Taken 14 January 1944 - Report on.

will fire three thousand rounds per minute.  Four of these guns mounted in each wing of our fighters . . . A favorite and successful tactic against Flying Fortresses is to dive down, then come up under its belly . . .   The trend of events in Russia merely represents a trap.  The significance of the one thousand kilometer retreat is that the Russians will be drawn in to follow us; then we'll envelop them in a flanking movement.  Most of our bombers are on the Russian front . . .  Yes, Rommel is a great general, but in Africa he had mostly only Italians in his forces, so . . . You Yanks are crazy to continue fighting us.  And on the Pacific front the Japs are winning hands down. . .  We have 'electric-machinists' on our subs to handle the electric torpedoes.

        The captain volunteered the information, during dinner conversation, that if a submarine went more that five days without reporting by radio, it was presumed lost.  The attack and sinking was so sudden that his ship did not have an opportunity to get a report off; thus he knows that his wife will have been told that he is lost at sea.

        7.         The clothing worn by the prisoners at the time of their recovery, as well as their gear, was still quite wet when brought aboard the BLOCK ISLAND.  Weather the next day was clear and reasonably calm, so all the material was laid out or strung up on decks, under adequate guard.  Though thus aired for about six hours, the clothing did not get entirely dry.  Continued heavy weather thereafter prevented any further airing until 29 January; therefore, the clothing may have suffered some damage from mildew.  It is believed that the rafts, life jackets, etc., were dry enough not to have been affected.  Some of the clothing was bundled according to owners on board the destroyers; however, most of these bundles became disarranged in the handling and transfer.

        In transit, the material was kept under lock; stowed in large sea bags under supervision of the ship's intelligence officer.

        8.        In accordance with reference (b), the 43 prisoners of war, all life rafts, incidental gear, clothing, personal effects and papers, with the dockets on the individual prisoners and copy of this

- 11 -

CVE21/A16-2

Subject:  German Prisoners of War Taken 14 January 1944 - Report on.

letter, will be turned over to the Commandant Fifth Naval District (Office of Naval Intelligence), upon arrival in port.

                                                                                             L.  C.  RAMSEY

Copies to:

        Office of Naval Intelligence

        Commandant Fifth Naval District (2)

- 12 -

        Report by - Lieutenant Commander Jules F. Schumacher, USN

                           Custodian of Officer Prisoners.

        Three officer prisoners were quartered in the steam bath, sleeping on mattresses laid upon the wooden benches.  Two officers, the submarine commander and the doctor, slept on cots in the rubbing room adjacent to the steam room.

        All officers were messed in the Wardroom, were segregated and ate around the end of one table after the majority of the ship's officers had been fed.  One ship's officer was in attendance during all meals and the prisoners were allowed to converse in any manner and on any subject they chose.  Polite conversation was made, usually about the food; however, the prisoners were very quick to notice any changes of weather such as the sea, the temperature, the motion of the ship, etc., and asked their relations to air operations (and were informed our planes could operate in almost any weather).  They remarked that in heavy weather maybe we couldn't spot a submarine, then we might get torpedoed in the middle of the Atlantic.  All seemed well convinced that submarines would lie across this vessel's path on the return trip to the United States.  All were firmly convinced that they would be landed in New York and were discussing amongst themselves the latitude and longitude of New York City.

        They asked for something to read and were given a pocket edition of Ripley's "Believe it or Not."  They appeared to read it with much interest and asked about new words they could not quite understand.

ENCLOSURE "A"

WENZEL, Wolfgang - Commanding Officer.

English:	Speaks English to a fair degree.
Education:	Regular schooling.  Served three years apprenticeship on sailing vessel, usual run between Italy and South America.  Was on Graf Spee for training prior to her sinking.
Likes to Converse on:	Sailing ships.
	Very observant about any slight change of weather, temperature, sea, etc.
	Occasionally speaks of his wife and wonders now soon se will be notified of his capture.
	Does not have any children.
	Speaks of food, various kinds and qualities.
	Very happy to be rescued.
	Speaks of playing football and of parties on H.M.S. NELSON during the Spanish War.
	Stated in an unguarded moment that German submarines now have orders to stay submerged during daylight, and only in exceptional cases when they must make great distances will they surface during the light, and then only when the "commander" thinks he is safe from aircraft.  He has a great respect for the tactics of planes against submarines.
Note:	Due to self-inflicted throat injury prior to capture, he seems to talk but little.
	He appears polite and courteous.

        While nothing has been said or done, he exerts a very definite control over his officers while present.

        He is not as outspoken as the doctor, but maintains a certain reserve.  He would probably talk, however, if the correct subject could be found.

        If a German officer as much as touches a napkin, fork, glass, etc., before the American officer who eats with them starts, Wenzel gives the German officer a knowing look and without a word being spoken the German officer backs down, demonstrating the fact that Wenzel still has control over his officers.

REINHARDT, Dr. Willi - Medical Officer.

English:	Has a very good working knowledge of the English language.  States he learned it as a child during the occupation of the Rhineland.
Education:	University of Freiburg and University of Vienna.  Specialized in pediatrics.
Likes to Converse on:	The privations of the German people.
	The lack of raw materials in Germany.
	Germany's desire to live at peace if it could only get the necessary raw materials and food to sustain a normal life.  (Seems well indoctrinated in the defense of every offensive move Germany has made.)
	Feels bitter about the bombing of his home town, Lubeck, stating it is merely a residential city - houses, churches and schools and the population can not understand the bombing of women, children and old people.
	His wife and son (3-1/2 years old).
	Asked if it would be possible for him to study further in medical research while a prisoner.
	States he desires to become a professor.
	States he saw some American prisoners in Wilhelmshaven dresses on khaki and leather flight jackets.
	Stated when he first came aboard that he is a German, not a Nazi; however, in conversation gives evidence of having been exposed to Nazi teachings and Nazi ideology.
	Stated that the "Leader" wanted to incorporate his birthplace, "Braunau", in the Third Reich and when the people of Austria heard of it they too wanted to join the powerful Reich.  Further stated that he had conversed with many of his friends in Vienna who stated that they were happy to belong to a powerful state like the Reich, but when they joined they did not realize how much they would have to give up - e.g., sugar, coffee, and use ersatz material for their clothing (which apparently is part wool and part pulp and shrinks badly when wet by the rain).   States Austria is not completely happy.
	Stated that he has been home just a few days before Christmas.
	Very desirous of finding out how soon his wife will be notified of his capture.  Stated that soon she would know the submarine was lost because regular orders are given to U-boats and if they do not answer in three to five days the sub was considered lost, and his wife would worry.

Converses on:	Stated that a doctor on a U-boat was practically useless as he had little to do except eat and sleep.
	States that he still has hopes that Germany may be victorious in the war or at least will have an honorable peace wherein they may have access to the raw materials and food which they so badly need.
	He further states that the German people now believe they have lost so much they can lose no more by continuing the war and might even be victorious.
	States that he has been told there are many people in America, much as "Lindbergh", who never did want war and are advocating peace.  "Maybe pretty soon America will become tired of the war, yes?"
	States that food in Germany is sufficient for the civilian population, but no luxuries.  All food and clothing must be secured by means of "tickets."
	Further states all of the best food goes to the Luftwaffe and the submarines.
	States that as a reservist, when he entered the navy he had a choice of being paid by the Reich or the "great town" of Lubeck where he was working in a children's clinic."  He chose to be paid by Lubeck and was interested to find out if he would be paid as a prisoner and how much.
	States that his father had an uncle who resided near Detroit, Michigan, and that his grandmother once lived in Massachusetts and returned to Germany when she was over ninety.
	Very much interested to know if all officer prisoners will be in the same place when they go ashore in America.
	States that he believes the "Party" made a mistake in their choice of "Leaders" in Norway and Holland.  States he likes cleanliness of Holland and Northern France but when he went to Southern France recently he found towns and countryside very dirty and unkempt.
	States that where the tulip fields of Holland used to be, now there are many rows of tobacco plants growing.

Hobbies:	Likes to draw and is a fairly proficient cartoonist.
	Has sketched a picture of his wife and a picture showing in the background a CVE, target angle 3150, with two destroyers, in the foreground a submarine on a course normal to the CVE and heading toward it, overhead a plane attacking the submarine, on the bridge of the submarine an officer looking through binoculars at a flying insect on the opposite side from the CVE.  (Having seen a cartoon of "Dilbert" in the Wardroom and asking what that was, he was told that it was "Dilbert, the foolish one".)  The officer on the submarine bridge was "Dilbert Hunfeldt",  Hunfeldt being the alleged O.C.B. when the submarine was attacked.
	Stated he had a very good Zeiss camera which was lost when the submarine was sunk and liked to take many pictures.
	Seems to be the morale factor in keeping up the spirits of the officer prisoners by games, such as cross-word puzzles, word games, etc.  He is also instructing the others in better English.

VON SCHIEFNER, Friedrich - Executive Officer.

English:	Does not speak English, but desires to learn.
Education:	Born in Vienna and had regular schooling.
REmarks:	At first gave the impression of being sullen, but later warmed up a little.  Takes very little part in conversations but smiles when any reference is made to Vienna  - its beauties, past history, or famous people.

HUEFELDT, Joachim - Deck Officer.

English:	Has a fair knowledge of English, which he studied in school.
Education:	Regular schooling.
Converses on:	Did not see or hear aircraft until almost overhead and bombs were dropped, no illumination by aircraft, sub started to submerge and leaks developed in the torpedo tubes which could not be stopped and sub surfaced and was later abandoned because it was leaking badly.
	Takes part in most general conversations and is referred to as "Baby Face."
	Appears to consider the war as an experience and a game in which he can have a great deal of fun with girls when he returns to his base.
	Stated the forward gun was being removed from all submarines due to the fact that occasions to use it against a single merchantman were practically nil, as a result of the convoy system.  In place of the forward gun a pair of "20's" were located on the bridge of the Conning Tower, and a "Quad" immediately aft of the Conning Tower to ward off aircraft.
Remarks:	Had the deck during the aircraft attack.
	Appears to be the "goat" for the jokes of the other officers.  (Jokes are more or less in nature of a good-natured ribbing).
	Officers play a card game called "Black Pete."  They all seem to gang up on Hunfeldt to make him "Black Pete".  He is kidded about his "affairs" in France and his youth.
	He is very young and does not appear to be highly steeped in Nazi ideology, and is more interested in girls and having a good time.

GEYER, Christoph - Engineering Officer.

English:	Has a good working knowledge of English.
Education:	Is engineering, diving and torpedo officer.
Converses on:	Generally listens, but occasionally adds to the conversation by explaining or translating some word not in common usage.
	States that M.A.N. engines are the best.
	States that submarine can make but little water and all of it is used for the batteries and cooking and none available for drinking or washing.

CVE21/A16-2/F4-1                                                                                      OF16/Bn.

From:	The Senior Medical Officer.
To:	The Commanding Officer.
Subject:	WENZEL, Wolfgang - Medical Report Regarding.

        1.        When received aboard this ship, this man gave a history of having shot himself in the mouth with a pistol at the time he realized his submarine was lost.  Physical examination showed him to be well nourished, calm and cooperative, with temperature slightly above normal.  There was a bloodshot area covering the left half of his tongue on the lower surface.  A bullet wound of entrance was seen on the posterior pharyngeal wall in the mid-line directly behind the uvula, about 20 mm in diameter.  The edges of the wound were reddened and swollen.  X-rays made in the anterior-posterior and lateral planes of his neck showed a bullet to be lodged against the anterior surface of the body of the third cervical vertebra.

        2.        The next day after coming aboard this ship, on January 17th, the bullet was removed under local anesthesia through the mouth, the wound of entrance being enlarged to permit recovery of the slug.

        3.        He made an uneventful recovery.

                                                                                J.  L.  CUSTER.

ENCLOSURE "B"

JNH/1a

U.S.S. PARROTT (218)

Fleet Post Office

New York City, N.Y.

DD218/A16-2

Serial OF-3

                                                                                             January 16, 1944.

From:	Commanding Officer, U.S.S. PARROTT.
To:	Commander Task Group 21.16.
Subject:	Survivors from German U-boat picked up by U.S.S. PARROTT.
Enclosures:	(A)  List of subject survivors.

        1.        Enclosure (A) lists the twenty-six survivors recovered by U.S.S. PARROTT on the afternoon of January 14, 1944, at Latitude 44-15 N. Longitude 20-22.2 W.

        2.        The men for whom birth dates and home address are not given in enclosure (A) were transferred to U.S.S. BLOCK ISLAND on the same afternoon as recovered, the balance (20) to be transferred as earliest opportunity.

        3.        A man who states that he was a lookout at about 2330, on January 13, declares that they were attacked by an aircraft which he thought was a "WELLINGTON" but which, from his description and that of two other survivors, appears to have been more like a "BALTIMORE".

                                                                              J.  N.  HUGHES.

Copy to:  Com Des Div 58.

U.S.S. PARROTT (218)

Fleet Post Office

New York City, N.Y.

CONFIDENTIAL                                                                                  January 15, 1944.

	NAME	RANK OR RATE	SERVICE NUMBER	BIRTH	ADDRESS
1.	HUENFELDT, Joachim	Leutnant z.See	Officer
2.	Dr. REINHARDT, Willi	Stabsarzt d. Res.	Officer
3.	SCHNEIDER, Wolfgang	Maschinen-Maat	UN4036/40T
4.	DUBINKA, Herbert	Maschinen-Maat	UO5866/40T	April 9, 1922	Brosen-Aworing  Schillerstrasse 21 b
5.	LOHMANN, Richard	Maschinen-Maat	UO2745/38T	June 15, 1919	Zarrentine Meckenburg Dankworthstr 14
6.	HARDERS, Otto	Obermaschinist	UN5653/39T	June 4, 1921	Wittershausenel Nerrer Fr. Selte Str.
7.	WITTE, Erich	Funkmaat	UN5653/39T	June 4, 1921	Hannover Waldendamm 2.s.
8.	BANSE, Helmut	Mech Maat(t)	UN5111/35S	October 4, 1920	Dusseldorf-Oberkessel  Hansasles 1
9.	BUCHBERGER, Simon	Bootsmaat	UO10669/41S	April 27, 1922	Unterwessen-Oberheyer Hansstr. 123
10.	FOCHTMANN, Gerhardt	Maschinen-Ober-Gefreiter	UO13133/41T
11.	RAMSAUER, Sepp	"               "	UO16139/41T
12.	BLOCK, Franz	"               "	UO3319/42T
13.	GUNTHER, Josef	"               "	UO11825/42T	July 17, 1922	Alt-Eilmandorf Kreis Wedrze (schlem.)
14.	WINTERMANTEL, Helmut	Maschinen-Ober-Gefreiter	UO14624/41T	May 31, 1923	Freiburg-Braisgau Bellfortstr 51
15.	SCHOLTES, Ludwig	Maschinen-Gefreiter	UO18341/42T	March 29, 1924	Obervulklingen Heer Strasse des 13 Uanuer 224
16.	SINDT, Karl Heinz	Matrosen-Ober-Gefreiter	UO14897/41S	February 19, 1923	Keil-Welligdorf Schonbergerstr 141
17.	TAUBE, Kurt	"               "	UN23272/41S	October 12, 1923	Kassadel Kreis Kreusburg (Schlesien)

U.S.S. PARROTT (218)

Fleet Post Office

New York City, N.Y.

CONFIDENTIAL                                                                                  January 15, 1944.

	NAME	RANK OR RATE	SERVICE NUMBER	BIRTH	ADDRESS
18.	MANSFELD, Jack	Matrosen-Ober-Gefreiter	UO26381/41S	January 26, 1921	Kach-Alzlg (Luxemburg)  Achstrass 29
19.	DREYER, Heinz	"               "	UO24128/41S	November 27, 1922	Py. Sylan Herbert-Neumann Str. 8
20.	BOGS, Herbert	Matrosen-Gefreiter	UN27555/41S	July 15, 1923	ErsitenFelde Uber(Hammeretain) Kreiz-Schlochau (Westpr)
21.	KLAHN, Helmut	"               "	UN54812/42T	April 28, 1925	Hermndorf/Katsbach  Kreis-Goldberg (Schles.)
22	LINDTHALER, Hans	"               "	UO41197/41	May 1, 1924	Heyreuth Leerstr 12
23.	DIDELOT, Heinz	Matrose I	UO6903/42S	April 24, 1924	Nrefeld-Derdingen Rhein Kunradstr. 3
24.	NITSCH, Ferdinand	Funk-Ober-Gefreiter	UO5056/41T	November 13, 1924	Warbeuthal  Nedwigasllee 208
25.	WURLE, Alfred	Mech-Ober-Gefreiter	UO15491/41S	November 8, 1922	Munchen 27 Pescenerstr. 111
26.	KELLERMANN, Friedrich	Mech-Ober-Gefreiter (T)	UN11692/418	January 11, 1923	Nurnberg-Kalchreuth 13

U.S.S. PARROTT (218)

Fleet Post Office

New York City, N.Y.

                                                                                                January 15, 1944.

        The following is a list of personal property sent to the USS BLOCK ISLAND, which belongs to the Prisoners of War.

11	Life Jackets
4	Munson Lungs
30	Pair of pants
13	Jackets
34	Shirts
23	Underwear
13	Sweaters
2	Scarfs
29	Pair of socks
4	Pair of shoes
2	Combs
2	Rubber Coats
1	Box of miscellaneous pieces of rubber (life rafts), identification tags, keys, etc.

                                                                                    M.  J.  KMAMER,

                                                                                    Lieutenant, USNR,

                                                                                    Executive Officer.

ENCLOSURE "D"

JNH/1s

U.S.S. PARROTT (218)

Fleet Post Office

New York City, N.Y.

DD218/A16-3

Serial No. 1

                                                                                                       January 20, 1944.

From:	Commanding Officer, U.S.S. PARROTT.
To:	Commander Task Group 21.16.
Subject:	Information learned from survivors of German U-boat recovered on January 14, 1944.
Reference:	(a)  List of subject survivors, previously delivered.

	(A)	Commanding Officer was Kapitan leutnant WENZEL.
		Tonnage of boat:  540
		Complement of the submarine was said to be approximately 50 men.
		The number of the boat could not be learned.
	(B)	Operational area could not be learned, except that one replied "Where did you find us?"
	(C)	Departure of U-boat from base was December 27, 1943.  Port of departure was not learned, but the only money carried by the survivors consisted in one 100 franc and one French coin.

- 1 -

JNH/1s

U.S.S. PARROTT (218)

Fleet Post Office

New York City, N.Y.

DD218/A16-3

Serial No. 1

                                                                                                       January 20, 1944.

Subject:

Information learned from survivors of German U-boat recovered on January 14, 1944.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

U.S.S. BULMER (DD222)

List of German Prisoners taken

aboard January 14, 1944.

1.	WENZEL, Wolfgang	Kapitänleutnant
	Born March 29, 1910 in Dresden	No serial number
2.	GEYER, Christoph	Oberleutnant (Ing)
	Born October 13, 1918 in Berlin	No serial number
3.	VON SCHIEFNER, Freidrich	Oberleutnant Zur See
	Born August 7, 1921 in Wien (Vienna)	No serial number
4.	BORCK, Albert	Obersteuermann (Warrant QM)
	Service number	250F/368
5.	HEITE, Werner	Masch. Ob. Mt.
	Service number	U.N. 2046/39T
6.	SANDER, Otto	Bootsmaat (BM1c)
	Service number	U.O. 2121/40S
7.	BRODKA, Edmund	Bootsmaat (BM1c)
	Service number	U.N. 15733/40S
8.	GEISSLER, Paul	Funkmaat (RM3c)
	Service number	U.O. 3425/39T
9.	MULLER, Heinz	Machinenmaat (F1c)
	Service number	U.N. 4001/39T
10.	HUBERT, Heinrich	Maschineobergefreiter (F2c)
	Service number	U.O. 3413/42T
11.	SPRIBILL, Erich	Matrosenobergefreiter (S2c) Mtr.Obgefr.
	Service number	U.N. 21122/41S
12.	TENNINGER, Helmut	Matrosengefreiter (S2c)
	Service number	U.N. 35372(42)S
13.	FISCHER, Paul	Matrosengefreiter Mstr.Gefr.(E) S3c
	Service number	U.N. 26639/410
14.	MEYER, Heinrich	Matrosengefreiter Mstr.Gefr.(E) S3c
	Service number	24935/41S
15.	BACKHAUS, Hansi	Maschinengefreiter (F3c)
	Service number	U.L. 13112/41T
16.	KISSLING, Kurt	Maschingefreiter (F3c)
	Service number	U.N. 8652/42T
17.	BREUER, Hans	Mechanic Gefr. (A)  (GM3c)
	Service number	U.O. 45397/42

ENCLOSURE "F"

U.S.S. BULMER (DD222)

INVENTORY OF PERSONAL EFFECTS OF GERMAN PRISONERS PICKED UP ON JANUARY 14, 1944.

1.	WENZEL, Wolfgang        Rank:  KAPITANLEUTNANT
	Born March 29, 1910 in Dresden
	Articles of clothing claimed for himself and GEYER, Christoph,  Rank OBERLEUTNANT (Ing)
	1 pair leather boots
	2 shirts
	1 pair underwear (shorts and shirt)
	1 pair working pants
	1 sweater
	Prisoner has one gold wedding ring which he was permitted to retain.
2.	VON SCHIEFNER, Friedrich        Rank:  OBERLEUTNENT Zur See
	Born August 7, 1921 in Wein (Vienna)
	Articled of clothing claimed for himself:
	1 pair leather boots
	1 pair underwear drawers
	1 pair working pants
	1 work jumper
	1 handkerchief
3.	GEYER, Christoph        Rank:  OBERLEUTNANT (Ing)
	Born October 13, 1918 in Berlin
	Inventory of clothing included in that of WENZEL, Wolfgang
4.	BORCK, Albert        Rank:  OBERSTEUERMANN (Warrant QM)
	Service number 250/368
	Articles of clothing claimed for himself:
	1 pair pants
	1 pair underwear (shorts and shirt)
	1 jersey
	Following items are sealed in an envelope and included with clothing:
	1 compass (wrist watch style)
	1 cigarette case (silver)
	1 pocket pen knife
	Prisoner has one gold wedding ring and one wrist watch which he was permitted to retain.

ENCLOSURE "G"

U.S.S. BULMER (DD222)

S.  (Con't)

	1 jumper
	1 pair pants
	1 pair leather gloves
	1 pair shoes
	1 pair socks
	Prisoner has one wrist watch, two rings and one novelty bracelet, which items he was permitted to retain.
9.	TENNINGER, Helmut        Rate:  MATROSENOBERGEFREITER (2c)
	Service number U.N. 35372/42S
	Articles of clothing claimed for himself:
	1 pair pants
	1 pair underwear (shorts and shirt)
	1 pair leather boots
	1 pair socks
	He does not possess any jewelry.
10.	FISCHER, Paul        Rate:  MATROSENOBERGEFREITER  Matr. Gefr. (I)  (S2c)
	Service number  U.N.  26639/41S
	Articles of clothing claimed for himself:
	1 pair underwear (shorts and shirt)
	1 pair work pants
	1 jumper
	1 sweater
	Prisoner claimed several keys which were sealed in an envelope and are included with his clothing
	Prisoner does not possess any articles of jewelry.
11.	MEYER, Heinrich        Rate:  MATROSENOBERGEFREITER
	Matr. Gefr.  (I)  (S2c)
	Service number  24935/41S
	Articles of clothing claimed for himself:
	1 pair training pants (Sweat pants)
	1 pair shoes
	1 fur-lined jacket
	Prisoner claimed one leather wallet (brown) which was sealed in an envelope and is included with his clothing.  He does not possess any articles of jewelry.

U.S.S. BULMER (DD222)

12.	MULLER, Heinz         Rate:  MASCHINENMAAT (F1c)
	Service number  U.N. 4001/39T
	Articles of clothing claimed for himself:
	1 pair pants
	1 shirt (brown)
	1 handkerchief
	Prisoner does not possess any jewelry.
13.	HEITE, Werner        Rate:  Masch. Ob. Mt.
	Service number U.N. 2046/39T
	Articles of clothing claimed for himself:
	1 pair work pants
	1 sweater
	1 woolen sweater
	1 pair socks
	Prisoner does not possess any jewelry.
14.	HUBERT, Heinrich        Rate:  MASCHINENOBERGEFREITER (f2c)
	Service number  U.O. 3813/42T
	Articles of clothing claimed for himself:
	1 pair shoes
	1 pair socks
	1 pair underwear (shorts and shirt)
	1 pair work pants
	1 work jumper
	1 sweater
	1 shirt
	Prisoner claimed the following items which were sealed in an envelope and are included with his clothing.
	1 pair nail scissors
	1 pencil
	1 metal insignia (medal)
	1 leather wallet
	He does not possess any jewelry.
15.	KISSLING, Kurt        Rate:  MASCHINENGEFREITER  (F3c)
	Service number  U.N. 8652/42T
	Articles of clothing claimed for himself:

U.S.S. BULMER (DD222)

15.	(Con't)
	1 pair socks
	1 pair underwear (shorts and shirt)
	1 pair pants
	1 pair shoes
	Prisoner claimed one diary which was sealed in an envelope and is included with his clothing.
	Prisoner claimed one novelty bracelet which he was permitted to retain.
16.	BACKHAUS, Hansi        Rate:  MASCHINENGEFREITER (F3c)
	Service number  U.O. 13112/41T
	Articles of clothing claimed for himself:
	1 pair pants
	1 jumper
	1 pair oil skin pants
	1 pair short pants
	1 jacket (cloth)
	1 pair underwear (shorts and shirt)
	Prisoner did not possess any jewelry.
17.	SPRIBILL, Erich        Rate:  MATROSENGEFREITER (S2c)
	Service number U.N.  21122/41S
	Articles of clothing claimed for himself:
	1 sweater
	1 undershirt (woolen)
	1 pair underwear (pants only)
	1 pair leather pants
	Prisoner did not possess any jewelry.

U.S.S. BULMER (DD222)

The following articles belong to German Prisoners, but are unclaimed:

                                                        U.S.S. BULMER (222)

                                                        Fleet Post Office,

                                                        New York, New York.

                                                                                               16 January, 1944

From:	The Medical Officer.
To:	The Medical Officer, U.S.S. BLOCK ISLAND.
Subject:	German prisoners that have received medical attention.

        1.        BRODKA, Edmund, BM1c, who spent most of the eleven hours clinging to a life raft, his legs in the water (58F.).  When brought aboard, he was cyanotic, cold, complained of cramp-like pain in both thighs, but was able to stand and walk with assistance.  He responded rapidly to treatment and now offers no complaints except some residual soreness in both thighs.

        2.        FISCHER, Paul, S1c, who complained of severe stomach cramps and headache a few hours after coming aboard.  He had swallowed an unknown amount of sea water.  Recovery was rapid.

        3.        WENZEL, Wolfgang, CAPTAIN.  This man presents an extremely interesting problem.  When he realized his submarine was lost "in a moment of depression" he placed the barrel of his revolver (a Browning 7.65 mm) inside his mouth and pulled the trigger.  He suffered a sharp pain in his tongue and neck, and a moderate amount of bleeding.  When he came aboard, 11 hours later, his tongue showed evidence of powder burns and there was a rather large hematoma under his tongue.  Directly behind the uvula, on the posterior pharyngeal wall a stellate wound, about 4th of an inch in diameter was found.  He complained of some soreness of the tongue and throat and also of a stiff neck.  He was able, however, to eat without difficulty.  The following day his mouth was less sore but his neck was stiffer.  There was no limitation of motion, but extreme rotation to either side caused pain below each mastoid region.  He has been treated with gargles, sulfadiazine and aspirin.  He has shown no further suicidal tendencies and has been cheerful and cooperative.

NOTE:  I would appreciate a report of your X-ray findings.

                                                                                     /s/

                                                                                     H.  M.  CARTER

ENCLOSURE "H"