DKIG Holder E-Boat Obergefreiter Josef Ziegelmeier Kriegsmarine Parade Jacket 

Josef Ziegelmeier was born 11 December 1918 and was killed in action July 25th 1943 north of Dunkerque. He is burried at the German war cemetery Ysselsteyn plot BH Row 12 grave 277. He even has a street named after him in the naval base of Wilhelmshaven.

For the night 28-29 .03. 1943 a common attack by the 4’th and 6’th SFltl with several E-boats among them S-29 to attack convoy FS.1074 the E-boats where hunted several times by destroyers HMS Windsor and Blencathra and therefor broke of the operation. Before arrival in the attack position one group of the 2.SFltl bumped in to MGB’s. A dog fight at short distance developed, “MGB 333” rammed the already seriously damaged “S-29” all the manning on the bridge besides of seaman No. 1, BtsmMt. Josef Ziegelmeier fell out. The CO Oberleutnant zur See and six men were killed in action, besides of that there where four severely wounded. Only towards morning the boat, the radio equipment of which was unservicable, returning slowly under command of BtsmMt Josef Ziegelmeier was found by the other boats. Since own air suport was now available the boat was blown up. For this singel act of bravery and devotion to duty saving the ship and his comrades BtsmMt Ziegelmeier was decorated with the German Cross in Gold 13 May, 1943. In the night to 25.07.1943 Ziegelmeier’s new boat “S-77” came in a dog-fight with MGB’s and he was killed in action.

The jacket is made of high quality navy blue wool. Parade jacket with opened peak lapels and a small lay down collar. The jacket has a front opening with nine, stitched button eyelets to each side. Only the top button eyelets are cut opened with shackle-chain in place.

The right breast has a hand embroidered national eagle in gold cellion on a cut-out navy blue wool base. The eagle is neatly hand stitched in place. The left sleeve has a seaman career star a obergefreiter rank chevron and a light anti-aircraft artillery gun chief’s speciality trade badge all neatly hand sewn in place. The left side has loops for two awards, most likely Iron Cross first class 1939 and E-boat badge. Inside is fully lined with black rayon and pyjama striped rayon cloth to the sleeves. Josef’s service number is hand embroidered with in red to the inside back/neck. Inside is year of production marked stamp “1937” as well as the usual size markings. Above the service number we find the name label “Ziegelmeier” hand sewn in place. The jacket is in very good condition and shows only light signs of age and use. No holes, rips or mendings.

The photos shown of picturing Josef Ziegelmeier and is grave is only in digital form and was found on internet by the former owner.

A unique oppurtunity to buy a truly museum worthy parade jacket from a brave and well decorated sailor. The fact he received the German Cross in Gold for only one action of extreme bravery is rare in itself. The proof of that bravery is the fact that the german Bundesmarine has named a street after him!!