For those interested, I had this made by a gentleman last year. It is a replica of Topp's RK that was made and given to him by the crew of U 552 shortly after receiving communications at sea of being awarded the RK. The original "homespun" RK was stolen in along with his Award document for the Oakleaves and an honor dagger presented to him by Admiral Raeder. In Dec 2000, Topp informed me that his son delivered all remaining awards and personal effects to the Army museum in Ingolstadt.
Thank you very much Ivan for these pics. It's nice to see what his shipbord made RK would have looked like. I'm very sorry to learn this was among the items stolen from him. I'm glad his personal items are now protected by being in a museum. I also hope Michael Topp is doing well--I wonder if he is still living here in the states?
I am under the impression that Michael lives in Germany. Topp's daughter lives in the States....in fact, just up the road from you, in Dallas. If memory serves me, Topp last visited her in 2000.
Thanks for clarifying that--I didn't know that it was Texas that any of them had been in. I might had been worng but I was thinking that Michael lived here because of going to a University or something but--maybe it was his daughter instead? I'm not going to rely on my memory--too poor of one to do so.
Greetings Herr K - Thank you very much for your willingness to show us the reproduced RK that Herr Topp was awarded by his crew at sea. Nice to look at, and I appreciate your having shown this item. I have but written to Herr Topp only twice. The second time I received an autographed photo from him. This was back in the 1990's. His photo resides between Herr Kemnade, and Herr Hardigen, of whom I have noticed that you might just have a respect for as it is your avatar. Work calls me back. Bill
Yes, Bill, I have deep respect for Hardegen. I admired his audacity during Paukenschlag. And I admired his actions while sinking SS Gulf America off Jacksonville even more. Risking the safety of his boat to protect innocent lives ashore. Topp has my devotion as well after corresponding with him on many occasions. He is truly a gentleman and very generous with his time in answering my inquiries. I can't say enough wonderful things about the man.
Hello Herr K - I hear you. When I was writing to some of the RKT fellowship members much more than I have been doing of late, my first Kreigsmarine U Boat commander that I received a response from was Herr Hardigen. The second was Herr Kretschmer ( May he rest in peace with ), and the third was Herr Topp. Great men all. Again, thanks a lot for posting. Too bad we live at different ends of the continent. I think we would have a great time discussing the tatics of the U-Boat fleet against the Allied convoys in person over a cold beverage. Good hunting Herr K - ! Bill
My first RKT reply was from Erich Topp. He sent me two signed pics--one to give out to a friend. I thought that was very generous of him. I next recieven pics from Hardegan, Helmut Witte, Rolf Thomsen, Paul Brasack and Hans-Gunther Lange (2 pics) My first Waffen SS RKT was of course Remy Then Ernst Barkmann. My first Luftwaffe RKT was Martin Drewes and my first Heer RKT was Prof Dr Bodo Spraanz.
