D-192 Wehrpass for a WWI U-Boat Veteran –
the Boat Entered Scapa Flow!
This is a very interesting Wehrpass, since it was issued to a fellow
who had been a German sailor aboard a U-Boat in WWI – something you don’t
normally see in the average Wehrpass. The book is in quite good condition with
only some light soiling to the exterior – a greasy smudge to the top center
front cover, but that’s all. Paul Sohlenkamp was 43 years old when the
Wehrpass was filled out and certified – likely too old to be called up at that
time (1937), though he was classed as cleared for assignment in a garrison
capacity. The book has a very fine, clear picture of Sohlenkamp, and comes
complete with the usual personal information on the first page – the school
and language knowledge page was left blank. The book interior is in superb
condition, the binding nice and tight. The first “Active Military
Service” page is of particular interest, since it notes his duty in 1914 as
crew on Boat U-18, which was commanded by Kapitänleutnant Heinrich von Hennig,
and which attempted to sneak into Scapa Flow some 27 years before Prien tried
the idea! The Wehrpass entry indicates that Sohlenkamp took part in actions
against the enemy, and mentions the sinking of the boat in November of 1914:
this was the result of the attempt to sink British warships in Scapa Flow (none
were there at the time U-18 entered – it was sunk on the way out, though the
entire crew got out to be captured. The Wehrpass has several additional entries
through 1918, each noting “British POW” (in Britischer Kriegsgefangenschaft).
One wonders if he became an accomplished English speaker during his time in
captivity? Accompanying this Wehrpass is some printed information with details
about the sinking of Sohlenkamp’s boat, and this WWI vintage daring plan. A
really unique Wehrpass, the likes of which do not turn up very often!
$685.00
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Item D-192
