Germany, Federal Republic. The Bundesmarine Uniform Of Kapitän Zur See Hans Jenisch, U-Boat Ace And Knight’s Cross Recipient

(Bundesmarine Uniform). A complete Bundesmarine uniform from the estate of Kapitän zur See Hans Jenisch, a Knight’s Cross recipient who, while serving as a U-Boat commander with the Kriegsmarine, was responsible for the sinking of 17 ships. It consists of:

1.A service tunic constructed of a dark navy blue rayon/wool blended material. It features a turned-down collar which transitions into double breast lapels. The cuff of each sleeve is adorned with four gold bullion wire tresses, topped by a single five-pointed star of identical construction, indicating a rank of Kapitän zur See. A pocket is set into the lower half of each breast, both closing with a buttonless horizontal flap, with an additional narrow pocket set into the upper left breast. Two threaded loops are arranged horizontally above the upper left pocket for the accommodation of a ribbon/medal bar and clasp, while additional vertical loops above the lower left pocket accommodate awards with vertical pinbacks. It closes with three gilded buttons bearing raised fouled anchors on each side meeting reinforced buttonholes on the opposite flap. The interior is fully encompassed by a dark blue rayon liner which transitions into white through the arms. Two pockets are set into the upper breasts, with the left pocket bearing a maker’s label of “DIOLEN”, indicating that the garment is constructed of 45% wool. Otherwise unmarked, it measures approximately 46 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 55.5 cm, and an overall body length of 74 cm. Demonstrating only minor signs of wear, it remains in an extremely fine condition.

2. A matching pair of trousers, constructed of an identical rayon/wool blended material. The waistband features an integral belt system and additional loops for the accommodation of a true belt. The fly closes with a functional metal zipper. Two side pockets open with diagonal flaps at the upper thighs, while two additional back pockets close with horizontal flaps and hidden buttonholes meeting black plastic buttons. The interior features a partial slate-grey liner distributed around the waist. Unmarked, the trousers measure approximately 40 cm across the waist, with an inseam of 30 cm, and an overall length of 98 cm. Demonstrating only minor signs of wear, they remain in an extremely fine condition.

3. A visor cap of multi-piece construction. It consists of a reinforced canister fully lined on the exterior with a ribbed black mohar cap band. The cap is topped by a removable white rayon-blended crown, while the centre of the cap band is stitching with an insignia consisting of a dark navy blue wool base bearing a gold bullion wire fouled anchor situated within an oak leaf wreath, topped by a cockade of identical construction. It measures 55 mm (w) x 70 mm (h) overall. It is flanked on each side by gilded buttons bearing raised fouled anchors, securing in place a black leatherette chinstrap. The latter rests upon a protruding black vulcanfibre visor topped by machine-embroidered gold bullion wire oak leaves. The interior is fully surrounded by a grey leather sweatband perforated across the forehead by ventilation holes, and is encompassed by a white satin liner. The crown retains an intact transparent plastic moisture guard bearing the partially-legible maker’s mark of a Kiel manufacturer, retaining a white paper name tag clearly bearing Jänisch’s name and rank in typewritten black ink. It measures approximately 24.5 cm (w) x 25 cm (l) x 15 cm (h). Extensive soiling consistent with wear is visible to the interior liner, but the cap remains in an overall better than very fine condition.

4. A 1939 Iron Cross I Class, 1957 version, constructed of iron and neusilber, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed neusilber frame, the obverse with three central oak leaves, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1939”, the reverse with a raised barrel hinge and vertical pinback meeting a flattened catch, unmarked, measuring 44.03 mm (w) x 44.00 mm (h), weighing 15.2 grams, in near mint condition.

5. A U-Boat War Badge, 1957 version, constructed of gilded bronze, the obverse consisting of an oval laurel leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by ribbon, overlaid by a central U-Boat situated on a hollow void, the reverse with a raised barrel hinge and vertical pinback meeting a flat wire catch, unmarked, measuring 48.67 mm (w) x 37.61 mm (h), weighing 28.2 grams, in near mint condition.

Footnote: Hans Jenisch was born on 19 October 1913 in Gerdauen, East Prussia. He entered Reichsmarine service in 1933, initially serving on the cruiser Deutschland, Jenisch transferred to the U-Boat service in 1937. Initially serving as second-in-command of U-32 under Werner Lott, he became commander of the vessel in February 1940. He sunk the Swedish cargo ship Lagaholm on his first patrol on 2 March 1940,and would go on to sink a further 16 ships for a total of 110,139 gross register tons (GRT) of Allied shipping. He notably assisted in the 26 October 1940 sinking of the RMS Empress of Britain, finishing off the ship with torpedoes after it had been damaged by bombs from Luftwaffe aircraft approximately 140 kilometers west of the Isle of Arran. This was the largest Allied ship sunk by a U-Boat during the Second World War. For his efforts, he received the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross on 7 Ocobe 1940. He was captured by the British on 30 October of the same year after U-32 was destroyed in combat with Royal Navy ships off the coast of Ireland. Jenisch spent over six years as a prisoner of war (POW), and re-enlisted in the West German Bundesmarine in 1956, and held training academy positions until his retirement in 1972 with the rank of Kapitän zur See. He died on 29 April 1982 in Kronshagen, West Germany.