Germany, Kriegsmarine. A Document Group To Matrosenobergefreiter, Torpedoed In 1944

A collection to Friedrich (nicknamed Fritz or Fred) Grimminger, consisting of an award certificate (210x296mm, near extremely fine), an obituary in the form of a newspaper cut-out (44x80mm, extremely fine), and the transcript of a condolence letter (303x204mm, fine condition).

The certificate states that Matrosenobergefreiter (Navy Senior Lance Corporal) Friedrich Grimminger of the 1st Schiffsstammabteilung (Ship Core Detachment) has been awarded the Wehrmacht Long Service Award 4th Class. The document is dated to Kiel on July 1, 1939 and signed on behalf of the 2nd Admiral of the Baltic Sea Station, Rear Admiral Mootz, by Corvette Captain and Commander Johannes Isenlar.

The obituary states that Grimminger was killed at the age of 29 and three quarters after nine years of service in the Kriegsmarine. It is dated to August 1944.

The letter is a transcript sent by a comrade of Grimminger’s. No name is given. It is dated to July 7, 1944. The recipient is Miss Milli Weiß, Grimminger’s girlfriend (her name also appears in the obituary). The unnamed soldier shares his grief with Weiß, informing her that Grimminger was killed during the night of June 17 to 18 when a torpedo sunk the ship he was stationed on. Nobody survived. His comrade saw the action unfold from the deck of another ship of the same fleet. At the time of his death, Grimminger held the rank of Oberbootsmannsmaat (Senior Boatswain’s Mate).