Germany, Kriegsmarine. A Greatcoat Belonging to U-Boat Ace and Knight’s Cross Recipient Helmut Witte

(Kriegsmarine Mantel für einen Ritterkreuzträger). A rare and extremely well-preserved Kriegsmarine greatcoat belonging to U-Boat ace and Knight’s Cross recipient Helmut Witte. Constructed of heavy dark navy blue wool, it features a turned-down collar which transitions into double breast lapels. The shoulders are flanked by boards constructed of dark navy blue wool with card stock cores, topped by four bands of interwoven silver aluminum wire piping indicating a rank of Korvettenkapitän (to which Witte was promoted on 20 April 1945). Each measuring 40 mm (w) x 105 mm (l), the boards are secured in place with stitching at the outer edge and with fire-gilded bronze buttons on the inner edge, both bearing raised fouled anchors. The cuff of each sleeve is rolled up to a depth of 18 cm and secured in place with machine stitching around the circumference. Dual side pockets are set into the waistband and shut with diagonal flaps. Emanating from the left pocket is a black rayon strap culminating in a functional glided spring clip for the accommodation of a dagger hanger. The greatcoat closes with six fire-gilded buttons on each side, similarly bearing raised fouled anchors, which meet equal numbers of reinforced buttonholes on the opposite side. The interior is fully encompassed by a multi-piece black rayon liner which features dual breast pockets. The left pocket retains a fully-intact owner’s label bearing a typewritten name of “KAPITÄNLT. H. WITTE”, with an issue date of “SEPT. 42”, issued by the Wilhelmshaven Offizierkleiderkasse. It measures approximately 50 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 68 cm, and an overall length of 142 cm. Demonstrating no notable damage or wear, this greatcoat belonging to a decorated U-Boat ace is in an extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Helmut Friedrich Witte was born on 6 April 1915 in Bojendorf, Schleswig-Holstein. He entered naval service on 8 April 1934, and completed training on 20 September 1936, subsequently being posted to the Cruiser Köln. Witte was later transferred to the torpedo boat service, where he saw action during the Spanish Civil War (later receiving the Spanish Cross in Bronze). He served aboard the destroyer Anton Schmitt, participating in the occupation of Narvik in April 1940. Upon returning to Germany, Witte sought and received a transfer to the U-Boat service on 1 July, and was subsequently posted as a Watch Officer aboard U-107 on 22 December 1940, participating in two patrols. He attended a U-Boat commander’s course during the summer of 1941, and became commander of U-159 on 4 October, having already been promoted to Kapitänleutnant on 1 September. It was during this time that Witte distinguished himself as a U-Boat ace; over the span of four patrols, his vessel sank 23 ships for a total of 119,693 gross register tons (GRT). Witte received the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross for these efforts on 22 October 1942. Owing to ill health, he surrendered command of U-159 on 4 June 1943; fortuitously, as the vessel was sunk by US fighter-bombers during its first patrol with its new commander on 15 July. Witte spent the remainder of the war with the Kriegsmarine’s K-Verband (Small Combat Unit), He survived the conflict and spent a brief period in British custody before being released on 14 July 1945. Returning to civilian life after more than a decade of service, Witte embarked on a successful career as a manager and human resources specialist with the firms of Philips and Demag. He died on 3 October 2005 in Duisburg.