Description
The UC 14, a UC I Class Boat, was commissioned on 5 June 1915 and sank on 3 October 1917 after striking a mine at the Zeebrugge Harbor entrance, resulting in the loss of all hands. This submarine class specialized in laying mines and did not carry deck guns or torpedoes. She sank a total of fourteen Allied ships and two warships during her career.
From 5 Jun. 1915 until 9 Oct. 1916, she served in the Pola Flotilla, and from 11 Jan. 1917 until 3 Oct. 1917, she served in the Flandern Flotilla. Her first commander was Oberleutnant zur Zee Cäsar Bauer, who was later killed while commanding the UB 46. He was succeeded by Oberleutnant zur See Franz Becker, who served through 30 June 1916 and later commanded other U-boats, sinking forty-two ships and damaging five. Becker was awarded the 1914 Iron Crosses 1st and 2nd Class, and the Knight’s Cross with Swords of the Hohenzollern House Order.
We are offering the UC 14’s Kriegstagbuch, a typewritten war diary/combat patrol document under Becker’s command from 12 April through 20 April 1916. The document is five typewritten sheets bound together with a string, measuring 8 1/4″ x 13″. It includes daily observations and results, such as daily positions, and is signed “Becker” at the end of each daily report. Becker’s full signature and rank appear on the last entry. The document is meticulously organized, extremely neat, and features Becker’s signature throughout.
