
FRESH STUFF DAILY
Seacoast New Hampshire
& South Coast Maine
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
|
|
| |
|
|
|
df2
viagra with no prescription accutane online buy viagra online canada viagraonline levitra online canada pharmacy no prescription pharmacy canada canadian cialis generic viagra canada online viagra cialis generic cialis prescription viagra buy propecia canada cheapest med canada pharmacy no prescription cialis daily cialis or viagra get viagra buy viagra online cialis viagra buy daily cialis prescription drugs on line levitra 10 canada pharmacy viagra cheap prescription free viagra propecia without prescription canada cheapest med viagara online canada
0
|
Nazi Sub Souvenir Surfaces
|
|
|
|
Written by Shipyard Stories
|
|

MARITIME HERITAGE
Historians take note. We find eBay to be among the most effective research tools available. By tracking items sold, and writing to sellers, we often discover details about the past that could never be learned in a library. Case in point, these purloined binoculars come with a fascinating story.
Purloined German Binoculars on eBay
READ about Nazi Subs in Portsmouth
In May 1945, US naval authorities expressed concern over the number of German military items that were disappearing from captured Nazi U-boats at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine. Among the pilfered items that found their way into American hands were dextrose "pep" pills, revolvers, canned goods, parts of German uniforms and more. Now we can add to that list, a pair of German binoculars taken as a souvenir by an American soldier. That item showed up on eBay more than 60 years later, and commanded a hefty price. CLICK TO SEE
Four submarines surrendered at Portsmouth Harbor and, until now, we have not heard the back-story on the pilfered items. Although thousands of American servicemen took "souvenirs" during World War II, such activity was against military law. Soldiers who took the items did not go on the record.
"My father was worried for years that there would come a knock on the door from the military," says the son of the solider who obtained these binoculars. With his father now deceased, and thanks to the anonymity of eBay, we learn a bit more about this famous moment in Seacoast history.
"He also obtained two German lugers from two officers as they disembarked. He had to frisk the submariners as they walked off the gangplank. Some of the Germans didn't like him doing that and he had to be rough with some of them. They called him names as he did it."
The war was over, Germany was defeated, and after four years the soldiers, then as now, often pilfered a keepsake or two, or three. What happened to the German lugers? We asked our eBay contact.
"My father sold the pistols soon after to buy a silverware set for my mother as a wedding gift."

MORE FROM THE EBAY SALE
Click to see the sale page
Photos and copy used by permission of owner on SeacoastNH.com.
My father was in the Marines during WWII and was stationed in Portsmouth, New Hampshire when the Germans surrendered. He was part of the escort party that was taken out to the surrendering U-Boats. I chuckle when I think about him concealing these binoculars in his coat because they are so heavy.
These U-Boat binoculars remained on the conning tower while the submarine was submerged. They were used for aiming torpedoes. You can see the vertical aiming line when you look through them. The binoculars are made of brass, weigh 12 pounds and are 8.5 inches long. The lenses are not scratched or smudged. The rubber eye-cups show a little deterioration on the inside, but not that much. The lever on the side says "Hell" and "Dunkel" (Night and Day) and I am not sure how it technically adjusts to the two light conditions.
The "U.D.P." abbreviation on the top is German for "Underwasser Doppel Fernrohr" or "Unterwasser-DoppelFernglas" (Underwater Double Telescope or Binoculars).

Copyright (c( SeacoastNH.com |
Please visit these SeacoastNH.com ad partners.
Portsmouth Herald
|
Portsmouth Herald Latest Headlines
|
| Portsmouth Herald News from SeacoastOnline.com |
-
UNH hockey powers past Terriers
DURHAM — The play of the University of New Hampshire men's hockey team special teams looked, well, special, Friday night against Boston University.
-
NFL's premier corner Revis mans up on Moss again
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Darrelle Revis has heard enough about his last matchup with Randy Moss. The New York Jets cornerback just wants to move on to the next one.
-
Father-son coaches creating legacy with Winnacunnet football
HAMPTON — If nothing else, Winnacunnet High School has proven that two Steve Magris are better than one when it comes to coaching football.
-
Bergeron wins it for B's in OT
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Patrice Bergeron scored with 47 seconds left in overtime, lifting the Boston Bruins to a 2-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night.
-
Emotional home finale for UNH football
DURHAM — One year ago this week, University of New Hampshire strong safety Terrence Klein intercepted two late passes to preserve a snowy 28-24 win at Maine, more proof that...
-
Carter, Magic drop Celtics
BOSTON — Vince Carter scored 26 points, Rashard Lewis had 16 points and 10 rebounds, and the Orlando Magic beat the Boston Celtics 83-78 on Friday night.
-
Portsmouth says stimulus jobs overstated by White House
PORTSMOUTH — While federal stimulus dollars flowing into the city may help both causes and the economy, at least one local project echoes concerns expressed nationwide about the accuracy of...
-
Joseph Popluhar
TAMPA, Fla. — Mr. Joseph Popluhar, 71, of Tampa, formerly of Portsmouth, N.H., beloved husband of Marjorie (Hunt) Popluhar, died Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009, in Florida.
-
Turkey Trot 5K in Portsmouth on Thanksgiving morning
PORTSMOUTH — Thanksgiving is one of the most charitable times of the year. If you're in the giving mood, why not get a little exercise, too?
-
Marshwood Middle School parents told 58 of 60 kids accepted unknown Facebook friend
ELIOT, Maine — Marshwood Middle School parents were shocked to learn from Internet expert Jayne Hitchcock Thursday evening that 58 of 60 middle school honors students accepted her as a...
-
Newington tax rate drops, but selectman chides state lawmakers
NEWINGTON — Town taxpayers will pay a lower tax rate for 2009, but the chairman of the Board of Selectmen announced the good news with some concerns for state politicians.
-
Memorial Bridge re-opens
PORTSMOUTH — The Memorial Bridge reopened ahead of schedule on Friday following a month of repairs that forced motorists to seek alternative routes between the city and Kittery, Maine.
-
Bakers bustling for Sunday's pie festival
GREENLAND — Judy Alix laughed excitedly. "Thirty made, only 470 more to go!" she exclaimed.
-
3-car crash on Woodbury Ave.
PORTSMOUTH — A three-car, chain-reaction crash snarled lunch hour traffic Friday on Woodbury Avenue and sent a Maine man to Portsmouth Regional Hospital.
-
Thumbs up to preservation, determination
Thumbs up to the heirs of Mary McIntire Davis for selling a 239-acre parcel of salt marsh and forest along the York River to the York Land Trust ,and to...
-
John R. Genthner
HAMPTON FALLS — John Richard Genthner, born Jan. 28, 1943, in St. John, New Brunswick, Canada, died peacefully Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009, after a long illness. He was surrounded by...
-
Runner's Alley helps racer achieve her goals
I would like to thank Janine and the staff at Runner's Alley for their great work in this community. Their contribution, enthusiasm and encouragement are a shining example of what...
-
New Generation raises $10,000 with golf tourney
The New Generation Golf tournament was held at Breakfast Hill Golf Club. With the help of all those who supported it, we made more than $10,000.
-
Memorial is a N.H. bridge; Herald must act to save it
Sitting a couple of hundred miles up the Maine coast, there isn't anyone who knows or cares about our bridge. They've got their own big-time problems that aren't getting fixed.
-
Robert F. Pucciarelli
WELLS, Maine — Robert Francis "Bob" Pucciarelli, 83, of Wells, formerly of Medway, Mass., died early Thursday morning, Nov. 19, 2009.
|
|
|
|
|
| Saturday, November 21, 2009 |
|
|
|