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- By Robby G
- Published 05/5/2008
- Operation Kingdom
- Unrated
Report of Liasion Officer to “Prinz Eugen”
HMS Devonshire
30th May 1945
1..I have the honour to forward the following report of my passage in “Prinz Eugen” from Copenhagen to Wilhelmshaven, which was carried out in accordance with you instructions received on 24th May 1945.
2.The following points were observed during passage..
a) The attitude of the officers was correct and every assistance was accorded to me during the passage. The crew also attempted to maintain a correct attitude, but lack of experience and knowledge of procedure withheld them at times from making the proper salutes.
b) The army personnel, numbering 635, were mostly soldiers of various ranks. Here the attitude was different and they were slovenly, paid no respect and I was met by scowling faces. The Captain of the ship deplored their presence in his vessel and their attitude, hanging and leaning over the guardrails, slouching about the parts of ship with no respect for his officers or himself.
c) The state of efficiency aboard the “Prinz Eugen” appeared to be of a very high nature. Orders given were promptly executed in a seaman like way. Two examples:-
(i) The streaming of two sets of P.V’s forward and midships was executed in eleven minutes. The number of hands employed – 27 – including an officer and two Petty Officers.
(ii) The berthing of the ship in dock at Wilhelmshaven was effected by 16 hands, who knew, in a seaman like way just what was required of them. The remainder of the hands were stood at attention.
d) An opportunity was afforded of observing the efficiency of their radar. Some 40 miles distant from Heligoland, permission was requested from “Iroquois”
to take a bearing on Heligoland. Permission was granted and the “Iroquois” also gave range and bearing. To the best of my knowledge at that time the distance was approximately 40 miles. “Prinz Eugen” distance and bearing was the same as our own, allowing the distance apart from the two ships.
e) Signals were not well executed. The procedure aboard was – signal officer and one rating with head telephones were stationed on the trespass platform, and signalman were on the signal bridge – some fifty yards aft and some 30 feet higher – and appeared to be much slower than our own procedure. A yellow flag is waved from the signal deck when the engines are being stopped and also used for indicating the movements of the screws.
f) Ship handling. The ship was well handled by the Captain. The Officers of the Watch, however, appeared to lack experience. “Prinz Eugen” had no difficulty in following in “Devonshire’s” wake. She was however, at very light draught.
g) Morale. The morale of the crew and officers was of fairly high standard, respect being paid by sailors prompyly and smartly to the senior officers and it would appear that the Captain is well liked on board his ship.
h) Conditions of living on board were not comparable to our Navy. The ship internally was dirty and the food well below standard.
Have the honour to be
Sir
Your obedient servant
(signature unreadable)
Lieutenant
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
By Robby G; May I suggest that this Officer had no idea of the sad situation these surrendered Germans were in. Here they are, having lost the war, being escorted back to there Home Port. No wonder they showed little respect to there conquerors. I expect that this narrow minded Officer was put aboard as he no doubt spoke fluent German.
HMS Devonshire
30th May 1945
1..I have the honour to forward the following report of my passage in “Prinz Eugen” from Copenhagen to Wilhelmshaven, which was carried out in accordance with you instructions received on 24th May 1945.
2.The following points were observed during passage..
a) The attitude of the officers was correct and every assistance was accorded to me during the passage. The crew also attempted to maintain a correct attitude, but lack of experience and knowledge of procedure withheld them at times from making the proper salutes.
b) The army personnel, numbering 635, were mostly soldiers of various ranks. Here the attitude was different and they were slovenly, paid no respect and I was met by scowling faces. The Captain of the ship deplored their presence in his vessel and their attitude, hanging and leaning over the guardrails, slouching about the parts of ship with no respect for his officers or himself.
c) The state of efficiency aboard the “Prinz Eugen” appeared to be of a very high nature. Orders given were promptly executed in a seaman like way. Two examples:-
(i) The streaming of two sets of P.V’s forward and midships was executed in eleven minutes. The number of hands employed – 27 – including an officer and two Petty Officers.
(ii) The berthing of the ship in dock at Wilhelmshaven was effected by 16 hands, who knew, in a seaman like way just what was required of them. The remainder of the hands were stood at attention.
d) An opportunity was afforded of observing the efficiency of their radar. Some 40 miles distant from Heligoland, permission was requested from “Iroquois”
e) Signals were not well executed. The procedure aboard was – signal officer and one rating with head telephones were stationed on the trespass platform, and signalman were on the signal bridge – some fifty yards aft and some 30 feet higher – and appeared to be much slower than our own procedure. A yellow flag is waved from the signal deck when the engines are being stopped and also used for indicating the movements of the screws.
f) Ship handling. The ship was well handled by the Captain. The Officers of the Watch, however, appeared to lack experience. “Prinz Eugen” had no difficulty in following in “Devonshire’s” wake. She was however, at very light draught.
g) Morale. The morale of the crew and officers was of fairly high standard, respect being paid by sailors prompyly and smartly to the senior officers and it would appear that the Captain is well liked on board his ship.
h) Conditions of living on board were not comparable to our Navy. The ship internally was dirty and the food well below standard.
Have the honour to be
Sir
Your obedient servant
(signature unreadable)
Lieutenant
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
By Robby G; May I suggest that this Officer had no idea of the sad situation these surrendered Germans were in. Here they are, having lost the war, being escorted back to there Home Port. No wonder they showed little respect to there conquerors. I expect that this narrow minded Officer was put aboard as he no doubt spoke fluent German.