Deathcard of U-Boot Crewmember – U-Boot “U-222” (Collided with “U-626”)

Original WWII death card (Sterbebild) commemorating Richard Donhauser, a crew member of the German submarine U-222. Service & Fate:Donhauser served aboard U-222, a Type VIIC U-boat of the Kriegsmarine. On 2 September 1942, during training operations in the Baltic Sea west of Pillau, U-222 collided with U-626 and sank at position 54.25N, 19.30E. Of the crew, 42 men perished and only 3 survived. Item Details: Original wartime Sterbebild memorial card. Honors a submariner lost in a rare training accident rather than combat. Condition: Good, with light age wear. Historical Context – U-222: Type: Type VIIC U-boat, backbone of the German U-boat fleet. Role: Training and preparation for operational deployment. Loss: Unlike many U-boats sunk in the North Atlantic by Allied forces, U-222’s loss came through a collision during exercises, highlighting the inherent dangers of submarine service even far from enemy action. Collector’s Note:This death card for Richard Donhauser represents the sacrifices of U-boat crews not only in combat but also in training. With only 3 survivors out of 45 men, the loss of U-222 stands as a stark reminder of the constant risks faced by the Kriegsmarine’s submarine arm. A poignant and historically significant piece for collectors of U-boat and Kriegsmarine memorabilia.