WW2 German Death Card of Johann Sergl. (Killed in Japan)

[Heartfeltzero]

Johann was born on January 3rd 1922 in Aschach. During his military career he was a private in the Kriegsmarine. On November 30th 1942, Johann was at a Harbor in Yokohama, Japan. There were a few vessel next to each other. Auxiliary Cruiser Thor (HSK 4), Oil Tanker/ Supply Vessel Uckermark, Nankin/Leuthen and the Japanese freighter Unkai Maru. Uckermark was used as supply tanker for the battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau during Operation Berlin before sailing to Japan in September 1942 as a blockade breaker. Thor and Uckermark were moored alongside each other. That day while the crew was at lunch, Uckermark suffered an explosion and fire which spread to the Nanking resulting in a larger explosion that sunk the Uckermark, Thor, and Nankin, Unkai Maru and destroyed a portion of the docks. Overall about 66 people were killed, Johann being one of them. I’m unsure which vessel he was on.

Photo of the Uckermark^


Photo of Thor

[Willmore]

Hi there.

A really interesting death card, thank you for sharing it with us.

I would say that he was on the Uckermark based on the casualty card information (Troßschiffverband).

Name: Johann Sergl
Date of birth: 03.01.1922
Place of birth: Aschach/Steyr
Military Unit: Troßschiffverbande der Kriegsmarine
Death/missing date: 30.11.1942
Death/missing place: Hafen von Yokohama
Service rank: Matrosengefreiter

Johann Sergl is buried in the military cemetery in Yokohama.
Endgrablage: auf diesem Friedhof


Troßschiffverbande der Kriegsmarine -
Troßschiffverband 1939-1945
Chef des Trossschiffverbandes (TSV)

Thor -
Norwegian Victims of Thor - Norwegian Merchant Fleet 1939-1945

Uckermark operational history -
Uckermark Operational History

Kind regards,

Will.

[Heartfeltzero]

Thank you so much for the info!

[Milcollector1914]

Really interesting card, I had no idea the Kriegsmarine had any presence in the Pacific. Definitely something you don't hear about very often.

[Heartfeltzero]

Yeah I had never once heard or seen any Kriegsmarine related stuff in the pacific. When I first saw it said killed in Japan I had to do a double take. But after doing some research about the event it ended up being true. So I got it right away.

[BlackCat1982]

An interesting death card, died a long way from home.

[toot]

gone but now not for gotten. a great post.