FRIEDRICH IHN Z14

[Roger1]

Good evening all,


The British Trawler CALDEW was sunk by U-33 on 24/9/1939. The crew of the CALDEW were later picked up by the Swedish KRONPRINSESSAN MARGARETA. A British source says a German Seaplane watched the transfer and informed Naval Command. In an undated interview with certain crew members of the CALDEW, some whom were repatriated in 1943 for various reasons, it is claimed that von Dresky radioed the Swedish vessel prior to the sinking. The KRONPRINSESSAN MARGARETA was later intercepted by the German Destroyer FRIEDRICH IHN and the crew of the CALDEW were landed in Kiel and sent first to Stalag XB and later Milag Nord.
The question is was it the Seaplane or is there any information to suggest U-33 called up the Destroyer.

Also who was the Captain of FRIEDRICH IHN at the time of these events. Has anyone details. Name, place and date of birth , crew of etc.
Any help appreciated.

Thanks and regards

Roger.

[derGespenst]

The only thing I can tell you of all this is that Ihn's captain was KK von Pufendorf.

[Peter K.]

Hello @ all!

According to my sources the British CALDEW (287 BRT) was sunk on 24.09.39, 08.00, by U33 (Dresky) with artillery fire in AM3228.

Of course it is possible, that some single German seaplanes were in the air, but the last large scale reconnaisance mission in the North Sea dated back to 21.09.39 (268 merchant ships and fishing vessels, 1 sub sighted) and the next one started on 26.09., 09.10, to support a planned merchant war operation of German destroyers.

In fact, GEORG THIELE, FRIEDRICH IHN and ERICH STEINBRINCK left Kiel with ILTIS, WOLF, SEEADLER and LEOPARD of 6th torpedo flottila under command of Cdr. 4. Z-flottila, FKpt. Erich Bey, in the evening of 26.09.39.
On the morning of 27.09.39 a prize crew under command of Lt.z.S. Albert Langfeld of FRIEDRICH IHN took the 11 survivors of CALDEW onboard of the Swedish KRONPRINZESSAN MARGARETA as prisoners. They were transfered to FRIEDRICH IHN at first, later to ILTIS, which brought them to Kiel. Their final station was camp STALAG XB.


Rudolf von Pufendorf

crew X/16
born on 27.05.1900 at Isenhagen
last rank Kapt.z.S. since 01.12.1940

04.39-10.39 Cdr. destroyer FRIEDRICH IHN
10.39-05.40 Cdr. 2. Z-flottila
07.40-06.41 1.Asto, staff Deutsches Marinekommando Italien
06.41-09.42 1.Asto, Flottenkommando
09.42-04.43 German Asto at High Command of Italian Navy (AIG)
11.04.43 + (air crash)

Greetings from Austria
Peter K.

[Roger1]

Thanks to you both for your informative and interesting replies. It is very much appreciated.

Best regards
Roger