The Wilhelm Gustloff as Lazarettschiff D
1939-1940
1939-1940
When Hitler invaided Poland on September 1st, 1939, the Wilhelm Gustloff and Robert Ley were requisitioned by the German Navy as 'auxiliary' ships. From this point on, the Gustloff would never make another pleasure cruise. Instead, she was designated 'Lazarettschiff D' (Hospital Ship D) and had a green line painted across her hull, with a red cross on her deck and funnel where the KdF symbol stood for nearly 2 years.
Doctors, nurses, and many pieces of medical equipment were brought onboard to take care of the sick and wounded casualties. As the war began, the Gustloff first appeared in her new role in Danzig-Neufahrwasser where 650 to 700 were brought onboard. She was berthed in Danzig for several months, before being sent to Olso for those involved in the Norwegian campaign.
In July of 1940, the Gustloff was to play a role in the invasion of England code named
Doctors, nurses, and many pieces of medical equipment were brought onboard to take care of the sick and wounded casualties. As the war began, the Gustloff first appeared in her new role in Danzig-Neufahrwasser where 650 to 700 were brought onboard. She was berthed in Danzig for several months, before being sent to Olso for those involved in the Norwegian campaign.
In July of 1940, the Gustloff was to play a role in the invasion of England code named
Operation Sealion. However, Hitler was not able to get the air power he so desired over the English Channel, so the invasion was called off and the Gustloff was no longer needed. On October 22nd, she is sent to Oslo to berth one more time before her stint as a hospital ship is finished. In November, she would take the stage in her final role as an accommodation ship. Below are images and memorabilia which were used onboard her during this time.
Presented at left are two postal stampers which were used onboard the Gustloff when she was Lazarettschiff D. The bottom of the stamper reads "Kriegsmarine Feldpost, Lazarettschiff 'Wilhelm Gustloff'". The makers mark remains on one of the two (at left) and the handle is engraved "Manuf Willy Pudert. Schles Stemp. Gorlitz * Mittelstr.8." Below are feldpost letters and postcards with this marking.
Left: Postmarked June 30th, 1940. Image donation with the postal stamp.
Right: Postmarked May 5th, 1940. Stamped with another variation cancellation.
Right: Postmarked May 5th, 1940. Stamped with another variation cancellation.
The above Feldpostbrief is folded, and right shows the other side with sending information.
Stereoscope (3D) images of the Wilhelm Gustloff as a hospital ship.
Operating room onboard the Wilhelm Gustloff. Source: Schiffe Menschen Schicksale "Wilhelm Gustloff", Nr. 15, January 1995.
TheGustloff with ambulances. Source: Der Landser Grossband Nr. 11
Painting: Wilhelm Gustloff as Lazarettschiff D. Source: Cover, JSC's 1:700 Wilhelm Gustloff hardstock model kit.
The Wilhelm Gustloff as
Lazarettschiff 'D' Photo Gallery
Click on the pictures to enlarge. More will be added as they are acquired.
Lazarettschiff 'D' Photo Gallery
Click on the pictures to enlarge. More will be added as they are acquired.
Accommodation Ship
Wilhelm Gustloff as Lazarettschiff 'D' Photo Collection
Officer and nurse photo lot taken onboard the Wilhelm Gustloff. Photos each have writing on the backs which is currently getting translated. Photos are dated 1939 & 1940 with the ship's name and other writing. Photo below and in the lot was taken onboard the Gustloff's deck with her life ring in the foreground and the hospital ship "Berlin" berthed across the way.
Officer and nurse photo lot taken onboard the Wilhelm Gustloff. Photos each have writing on the backs which is currently getting translated. Photos are dated 1939 & 1940 with the ship's name and other writing. Photo below and in the lot was taken onboard the Gustloff's deck with her life ring in the foreground and the hospital ship "Berlin" berthed across the way.
Lazarettschiff 'D' Letters:
Letter #1: Left:
1 page front & back - Sent on September 28th, 1939 via Hamburg - Just after the war's beginning.
Letter #2: Below & Right:
4 page letter front and back - Sent on September 24th, 1939 via Danzig. Also just after the war's beginning.
1 page front & back - Sent on September 28th, 1939 via Hamburg - Just after the war's beginning.
Letter #2: Below & Right:
4 page letter front and back - Sent on September 24th, 1939 via Danzig. Also just after the war's beginning.
Lazarettschiff D Envelope:
November 22nd, 1939
No letter inside.
November 22nd, 1939
No letter inside.
Wilhelm Gustloff as Lazarettschiff 'D' Photo Collection #2:
- Set of 12 photographs onboard the ship dated November 2nd to 7th, 1939.
- Set of 12 photographs onboard the ship dated November 2nd to 7th, 1939.
The following six photos come from the same collection dating March 3rd, 1940.
Interesting photo of the Wilhelm Gustloff between her conversion from a hospital ship to an accommodation ship. You can see in this photo where the former green hospital ship line was by the different shade of white on the hull. Her next step was to be painted gray.
The following five photos came from the same collection of the Gustloff in Stettin.
Wilhelm Gustloff Hospital Ship Papers:
1. Data sheet of German Navy soldier Max Hansen. On the sheet is his name his data, his occupation learned (machine fitter), english language spoken, his height and weight and the personal description such as dark blond hairs, grey green eyes, flat forehead, teeth are complete, normal chin, no special marks and that his slang is high German.
His photo was overstamped with the Wilhelm Gustloff stamp print. On the reverse is the name of his father and the note that Navy soldier Max Hansen is not married and has no children. His father lived in Kiel at the Adolf Hitler street 17/1
2. Master card or staff card bag/envelope with following handwritten entry: "Max Hansen on 4.4.40, B no. 1.00/7c. Rubberstamp by the Wilhelm Gustloff.
1. Data sheet of German Navy soldier Max Hansen. On the sheet is his name his data, his occupation learned (machine fitter), english language spoken, his height and weight and the personal description such as dark blond hairs, grey green eyes, flat forehead, teeth are complete, normal chin, no special marks and that his slang is high German.
His photo was overstamped with the Wilhelm Gustloff stamp print. On the reverse is the name of his father and the note that Navy soldier Max Hansen is not married and has no children. His father lived in Kiel at the Adolf Hitler street 17/1
2. Master card or staff card bag/envelope with following handwritten entry: "Max Hansen on 4.4.40, B no. 1.00/7c. Rubberstamp by the Wilhelm Gustloff.
Original Wilhelm Gustloff Lazarettschiff Video - 1939-1940
By: Karl Hoeffkes
By: Buenopolis