Germany, Kriegsmarine. An Extensive First War U-Boat Document Group Of Willi Schulz

A Militärpaß (military ID book), 48 pages, 83x139mm, extremely fine condition for its age, some outside scuffing.

It was issued by the Imperial Navy, U-Boat Division, in 1914, and is stamped and dated to Kiel on June 28, 1920.

A Wehrpaß (army ID book), 52 pages, 102x146mm, near mint condition. It was issued in Berlin on September 24, 1937.

A collection of documents:

Three photos of Schulz, two with a U-Boat, 119x90mm, one group photo with the men of his division, 139x89mm, all mint condition.

A certificate stating that he received both the U-Boat War Badge and the Iron Cross 2nd Class. It is dated to March 4, 1919, measuring 208x164mm, near mint condition with minor fraying and folding creases.

A preliminary certificate of good conduct, dated to Kiel on March 4, 1918, attesting very good conduct to Schulz. It measures 211x294mm, extremely fine condition with folding creases and minor holes.

Two copies of a certificate, measuring 294x430mm, better than very fine condition, with creases, minor fraying, and minor discolouration.

They state that the men giving their signature on this day, November 27, 1918, will attend a meeting five years later in the hotel “Haferkasten” in Frankfurt. There are eleven signatures, including Schulz’s, of the men of UB-130 of the 1st U-Flotilla. It is dated to Harwich, England.

After the First World War, Germany’s U-Boats had to be decommissioned and consigned there.

A discharge certificate from the navy, dated to Kiel on March 4, 1919. It measures 143x220mm, very fine condition with minor fraying and folding creases.

Eight handwritten pages, measuring 164x204mm, extremely fine condition with folding creases. It is a letter written by Schulz during the final journey of the UB-130 to Harwich. The recipient remains unnamed.

A self-portrait from 1940. It measures 251x169mm, extremely fine condition with folding creases and age spots.

A preliminary apprenticeship certificate from Heinrich Hillgärtner Piano Company, Berlin-Pankow, dated to April 1, 1912. It measures 212x283mm, near mint condition.

The document states that Schulz learned the art of Bodenmacherei (piano building) for 4 years, and they have no doubt he will pass his upcoming exam. It is signed on April 12, 1912.

A certificate of leave from the Piano Factory J. Schiller, measuring 212x285mm, extremely fine condition with folding creases. It states that Schulz worked for them from 1919 to 1931. Schiller can recommend him as a good worker. It is dated to September 1931.

Two certificates from the Furniture Factory Paul Ziemer. They both measure 213x150mm, near mint and extremely fine condition, respectively.

The first one certifies that Schulz started working for them in 1932. The second one states that he is leaving the company in 1937. Both are from 1937, the first from August, the second from September on the day he left. He is described as a good worker who is leaving by his own choice.

A letter to his mother, sent by Schulz and his father. The letter measures 210x248mm and is in extremely fine condition with folding creases, the envelope measures 160x110mm, in poor condition.

The letter is a poem. Schulz’s mother is sick and presumably in the hospital. They tell her that they miss her, and they also miss her contribution to the household, which they now realise is quite substantial.

Six modern reproductions of photos, printed on photo paper, all ca. 150x102, showing U-9 and UB-12, and Schulz with his comrades.

Unfortunately, the military ID book is either missing certain information or it uses indecipherable abbreviations. However, Schulz definitely served on board of U-Boat UB-9 (which was in service as a training vessel) between August and September of 1918, and on board of UB-130 between late October 1918 and early January 1919. On February 1, 1917, he was promoted to Obermatrose (Senior Sailor), and on October 10, 1918 to Bootsmanns Maat (Boatswain’s Mate).

In 1919, he was redeployed to the reserve in Berlin. Schulz was awarded the U-Boat War Badge and the Iron Cross 2nd Class on October 1, 1918. The single date might only refer to the Iron Cross, in which case the date for the U-Boat War Badge is unknown. Unfortunately, Schulz’s assignment during this period is indecipherable. He was mustered again, but then discharged in early 1939 based on his age.