Description
The UC 14, a UC I Class Boat that was commissioned on June 5, 1915, and sadly met its end on October 3, 1917, after striking a mine at the entrance of Zeebrugge Harbor, resulting in the loss of all crew members. This submarine class was designed as mine-layers and did not carry any torpedoes or deck guns. Throughout its career, UC 14 successfully sank fourteen Allied ships and two warships. The boat served in the Pola Flotilla from June 5, 1915, until October 9, 1916, and later joined the Flandern Flotilla from January 11, 1917, until October 3, 1917.
The first commander of UC 14 was Oberleutnant zur Zee Cäsar Bauer (1886-1916), who served from June 5, 1915, until January 6, 1916. Unfortunately, Bauer was later killed while commanding the UB 46. Oberleutnant zur See Franz Becker (1888-1980) took over the command on January 7, 1916, and served until June 30, 1916. Becker later commanded other U-Boots and achieved impressive results, sinking forty-two ships and damaging five. He was eventually awarded the 1914 Iron Crosses 1st and 2nd Class, as well as the Knight’s Cross with Swords of the Hohenzollern House Order.
We are thrilled to offer UC 14’s Kriegstagbuch (war diary/combat patrol document) from April 4 through April 7, 1916, under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Franz Becker. The document is well-preserved and features three typewritten sheets (with several blank pages), all bound together with a string. Measuring 8 1/4″ x 13″, the daily observations and results, including positions, are meticulously recorded and signed by Becker. The document is well-organized, extremely neat, and proudly displays Becker’s signature. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to own a piece of history.
