Claas, another great addition to the thread. And now, I would like to add this.
When the U-Deutschland returned to Bremen, the Kaiser handed out medals to just about everyone who had been involved in the first trip. Here are the medals associated with the U-Deutschland's first trip.
This is the Knight's Cross of the Hohenzollern House Order (Ritterkreuz des Hausordens von Hohenzollern) I don't have one of these yet, and probably never will, but I'm looking. Paul König, the U-Deutschland's captain received this award.
Royal Order of the Crown 2nd Class (Preussen Königliche Kronenorden, 2. Klasse) This is another one I am looking for. This award went to Alfred Lohmann who was the cargo-U-boat project front man in Germany, and the man behind the money.
Royal Order of the Crown 4th Class (Preussen Königliche Kronenorden, 4. Klasse)
This went to Franz Kraphol, the U-Deutschland's 1st watch officer, Paul Eyring, the boat's 2nd watch officer, H. Klees, who was the boat's chief engineer, and actually the 2nd in command, and two un-named Krupp employees.
Prussian Order of the Red Eagle, 4th Class (Preussen Rote Adlerorden, 4. Klasse) This is also from my collection. This award went to the brothers, Paul and Henry Hilken, who owned the A. Schumacher Company in Baltimore and were the American agents for Norddeutsche LLoyd. The other recipient was Capt. Friedrich Hinsch, who commanded the interned liner, SS Neckar. All three were active Etappendienst agents.
Prussian General Honor Decoration in Silver (Preussen Allgemeines Ehrenzeichen in Silber) This is also from my collection. This award went to the boat's chief petty officers and the purser
Prussian General Honor Decoration in Silver (Preussen Allgemeines Ehrenzeichen in Silber) This award went to the remaining members of the crew
There is an aspect to this boat that hasn't come up, but it will now. At the time, the Germans insisted that the whole cargo-U--boat project was a civilian undertaking, and that Paul König was an unemployed merchant captain looking for work. In fact, at the time he was selected to command the U-Deutschland, König was a Kapitänleutnant aboard the SMS Brandenburg. Outwardly the venture was funded by private capital, but the construction materials, the yard that built it, the men who manned it, and the people who controlled the boat's destiny were all part of the Kaiserlichemarine. In-so-far that the operations were conducted under the auspices of Norddeutsche Lloyd, and the front known as the Deutsche Ocean Reederei, it was at least a joint private business and government undertaking. But the real planners and organizers were the members of the navy's Etappendienst. Dwight
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