This is a very fine grouping of medals, awards and accompanying documents belonging to Imperial German submariner Max Doose, who served as a machinist onboard the Unterseeboot (UB) 19 until he was taken prisoner when UB-19 was sunk by the British Q-Ship HMS Penhurst on December 1, 1916. Included in this collection is; 1) A Fine Iron Cross 1914 Second Class Medal Bar; two piece construction; silver frame with blackened magnetic iron core; measuring 43.79 mm x 43.51 mm; paint still very well preserved with only minor chipping and very light corrosion on the “W” on the obverse; original-mounted medal bar with horizontal pinback. 2) A German Cross of Honour 1914-1918 (Hindenburg Cross) for combatants; in bronzed magnetic metal; marked “L.N.B.G” on reverse; measuring 37.37 mm x 37.53 mm; with slight loss of bronzing. 3) A Naval Submarine War Badge; hollow version; in gilded brass; horizontal pinback; unmarked; measuring 47.18 mm x 48.29 mm; with much of its original gilt still remaining. 4) A ribbon bar for the Iron Cross 1914 Second Class and the Hindenburg cross for combatants; vertical pinback; measuring 51 mm x 17 mm. 5) A rosette for combatants of the Hindenburg cross; threading still tight around the ribbon; measuring approximately 27 mm x 13 mm. 6) An original Militärpass (military booklet) belonging to Max Doose, confirming his military services in the Kaiserliche Marine, and being awarded an Iron Cross 1914 Second Class. Overall, this is a fine grouping of awards and documents that opens a small, yet concise window into the military service of a Kaiserliche Marine Uboot Machinist. Overall extremely fine condition.
Footnote: Max Detlef Johannes Doose was born in Trittau, near Hamburg, Prussia on may 20, 1891. As a Student Engineer, he entered the Imperial Navy as a One-Year Volunteer on January 3, 1913. He was posted to No. 1 Company, 1st Dockyard Division for service in Ships of the Line. He served ashore, January 3 - June 14, 1913 and aboard the old battleship S.M.S. Wittelsbach, from June 15 - December 12, 1913. He was ranked as a Maschinist, January 3, 1913; Obermaschinist, July 1 1913, and Maschistsmaat (Machinists Mate), January, 2 1914. Recalled for War Service, he served as Maschinistsmaat on the Wittelsbach, August 2, 1914 - November 20, 1915. He was then transferred to the U-Boat Division for training, November 21, 1915 - January 19, 1916. Following the completion of his training he served with the U-Boat Flotillas in Flanders, operating in the English Channel and the coastal waters of the North Sea. Doose was on the submarine UB-19 from September 1, 1916 until she was sunk by the British Q-Ship Penshurst (Captain Grenfell) off Portland Bill, Dorset, on November 30, 1916. The submarine overhauled the seemingly harmless Penhurst and was beguiled by the panic party abandoning ship. It was enticed to within 250 yards, at which range, the Penhurst threw off her disguise and opened fire, riddling the submarine's conning tower and hull with holes. After 10 minutes engagement, the submarine foundered. Three officers and 13 ratings were rescued, seven were killed. Amongst those rescued was Doose. Taken to England as a prisoner-of-war, he remained a prisoner until late 1919. He was discharged from the navy at Berlin-Wilhelmsdorf on November 30, 1919. For his wartime services he was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class on November 30, 1916. His services also entitled him to the Submarine War Badge that was instituted on February 1, 1918. Accompanied with extensive research file.