On Saturday May 12 2001. My friend and comrade Franz-Josef Hawran-exmember of the Kriegsmarine in ww2, passed away. He was a very nice man who served on the U-boats in ww2. Franz-Josef was an NCO while serving with the U-boats. He will be sorely missed by his family and his comrades. It an old tradition dating back several hundreds of years, is how his burial will take place. He is going to be buried at sea on Friday May 18th 2001 at 3:00 PM. This man was someone who you would easily like the moment you would meet him. I am truly sorry that I never saw him in person but was lucky enough to send and recieve letters to and from. There are now only 10 men of U 181s original crew who are still living. There are two new additions to their crew living as well. With special thanks to his grandson Daniel, who was very kind for sending me a photo of his Opa in uniform, manning an MG-34 on the conning tower of U 181. He will now be in much better company including shipmates Josef Dick, and Johann Limbach. Thanks for leting me speak my piece. [ 17 May 2001: Message edited by: C.Evans ]
Well said! While I cannot claim any significant knowledge of the German Navy, my uncle served aboard subs in WWII and beyond. It is fitting that a military man, regardless of country, be accorded respect for his service....whilst I imagine some of the "receivers" of U-181's torpedoes might disagree...it is still a testament to warriors, regardless of nationality!
Dear USSBOWFINSS-287: Thank you. In Laboe, Germany is where the huge German Marine Memorial is at. Used to, it was strictly a memorial for German sailors. Now it is a memorial for sailors the world round. One thing I really admire about the Germans is: Once you are accepted and are a comrade-you will forever remain so. Another thing I admire about them is, they are a fun loving and sincere people, they really know how to enjoy life.
More about mein freund, Franz-Josef Hawran. He was an NCO on U 181 until October 1943 then was transferred. Rest of this text is in German. Nach langer, schwerer Krankheit entschlief mein lieber Mann, unser guter Vater, Schwiegervater und Opa. Franz Hawran Feb 02 1918 to May 12th 2001. In Liebe und Dankbarkeit Hilde Hawran geb. Berger Heidrun und Willy Schwarz Daniel und Thomas Die Trauerfeier findet am Freitag, dem 18 Mai 2001, um 15.00 Uhr in der kath. St. Anna-Kirche in Harrislee statt. Statt Blumen und Kranze bitten wir um eine Spende fur das "Katharinen-Hospiz am Park" uaf das Konto 17 o42 739 bei der Flensberger Sparkasse, BLZ 215 500 50 oder fur die "Stiftung U-Boot-Ehrenmal Moltenort" auf das Konto 208316-203 bei der Postbank Hamburg, BLZ 200 100 20, unter Angabe von "Bestattung Franz Hawran". Auf Wiedersehen mein kamerad--yours always-Carl Evans.
Another loss for the vets of U 181 and myself. I dont have the exact date-yet on my friends passing but from a letter written by Dieter Hille (Engineering Officer U 181)of U 181, dated Sunday September 16th, 2001-I just recieved it today. Walter Schmidt at 85 years young, passed away. He was the Torpedomixer and a Petty Officer on U 181. He is in a photo that shows 15 U 181 men wearing beards and this photo will be posted here soon. I met him 1 year and 15 days ago-today. I was greatful to have met 10 of 12 living U 181 vets in Bad Camberg, Germany. I remember him very well as the man who sat directly across the table from me as my friend Susanne and I were treated to a lunch they bought us at Hauspohl. We had Apfelshorle and Jagerschnitzel. This man was a very jovial man and was one who brought much laughter to our table. I am lucky to have the memory of seeing this Kriegsmarine veteran, along with several of his comrades, looking at two large photos taken of them by Second Watch officer, Otto Giese as they had just come back from the longest Uboat patrol of the war and were arriving in Bordeaux, France. The other photo shows several men sitting on the conning tower of U 181. I mention these two photos because of my chance to witness something that has become a permanent part of my memory and life. I saw several of these fine gentlemen, get some instant gratification at the sight of these two photos. They almost pulled a Three Stooges act by almost bumping heads, as they were gathered around the two photos trying to see who was whom. I enjoyed that site very much, at having had a chance to give something to thesse men that brought happiness to them and brought back great memories--just at looking at two large black and white photos. I had to grin at their excitement over the photos and wished I had had more than enough copies to have passed to every one of them. I was very fortunate to have had them sign two photos that I was keeping for myself. I loved the chatter that the photos brought out of these great veterans and will never forget their smiles--the looks in their eyes. I remember with great fondness that Michael Muller, Bernhard Trenn, Gunther Bartussek, Josef Dick, Walter Pfeffer, Walter Schmidt, Leopold Scheba and my great friend, Karl Kaiser and Dieter Hille all at that moment, knew what I was about and that at that moment, I knew I was accepted--if not before the photos were seen. I wished I could have done more for them at that moment. this is one of my ways of remembering--my friend--Walter Schmidt. I do not think he would wish anyone to be sad for him but, its difficult not to feel thay way as I was only lucky enough to have the priviledge to spend two days with these fine people. Rest in peace sir.
Auch ! Another one passes......thanks for the tribute to these men Carl. And for all lost Navymen of all nationalities. smooth sailing ! E
Thank you very much my friend. I hope others here on the forums will make a comment or opinion, I would like to show these gents that they are highly thought of not only from their families and friends there, but from us over here and everywhere.
Dear Mr. Evans: I am Juan Jaramillo y Blasco, I am a Spaniard. I collaborated in www.u-historia.com a site web dedicated to the history of U-Bootwaffe in Spanish. One month ago, I am search about of the U-181 crew. I found your thread by Alltheweb. I read your reportage in http://www.uk-muenchen.de/berichte/reportagen_u181.htm and just yesterday found this photo in a book: Scanned from the book "Wolfpacks at War" de Showell, Jak P.Mallman Do you comment any more of this? It’s a very youngest shipmate…..
Hello Juan, I had completely forgotten about this thread and I am flattered that there is another who is interested in my Vet/friends of U 181. I have sad news to report that Herr Dieter Hille, is another who has recently passed away. I am not sure how many are left as of this writing. On that photo, I have never seen this photo before but, if you want to make a copy of it, I can suggest that you might want to send it to my friend: Karl Kaiser who might be able to identify the men in the photo. I don't recognize either of them off-hand. Anyway, if interested in contacting him, as he recently changed address, send me a PM. I will give you some instructions in private as well. Also, Gunther Bartussek, (U 181 crewman) spends about 6 months of the year in Spain. I no longer have his address but, you can get that from Herr Jurgen Weber of the Munich Submariners Association. Wish I could help you more nat this time-take care and best regards. (Carl.)
