If one isn't careful, eBay is a place in which sellers unintentionally or intentionally misrepresent the merchandise they offer. This particular photograph is one of those cases. The seller listed the name as Rudolf Zölk, holding the rank of Kapitän zur See (literally Captain at Sea) on the submarine U-123. At $3.99, the reproduction of the genuine photograph isn't too bad except that Zölk was not a line officer. To boost the eyes on the auction and entice sales, the seller included the word “Hardegen” and this was in reference to the actual captain of U-123, Korvettenkapitän Reinhard Hardegen. Hardegen was one of the more successful U-boat captains and during his command which ran from May 19, 1941 to July 31, 1942, 221 total days at sea, he sank 22 ships totaling 115,656 gross register tonnage sent to the bottom. 19 of these ships were torpedoed off the U.S. east coast and in Canadian waters.
Returning to Zölk, he held the rank of Obermaschinist and this can be told by his schulterstücke (shoulderboards). The pointed shape of the schulterstücke denoted a sailor within the Unteroffiziere mit Portepee ranks which, more or less, was the U.S. Navy equivalent to Petty Officers. Zölk's specific rank is shown by the two rank pips which was the equivalent to a Senior Chief Petty Officer. His naval profession, that of machinist, was denoted by a cypher situated between the two pips. It consisted of a anchor with the anchor's shaft running between two stylized gears. As a machinist on U-123, his duty tasks included the maintenance and repair propulsion equipment, auxiliary equipment, boilers, pumps, engines, and even mess equipment such as refrigerators, stoves, etc. In addition to being able to maintain and fix such equipment, he also had to know how to operate it.
As far as awards, Zölk was certainly well decorated. From his awards, U-123 was certainly not his first duty station. This is told by the Kriegsabzeichen für Minensuch-, U-Boot-Jagd- und Sicherungsverbände (Minesweepers, Sub-Chasers and Escort-Vessel War Badge). This was awarded to those men that served on minesweeper ships and could be received under several conditions including simply serving on such a ship for 25 days of escort duty all the way to earning the badge for his ship being sunk from enemy action. The badge represented a geyser of water rising from waves, surrounded by a gold wreath. Above this badge is the U-Boot-Kriegsabzeichen (U-Boat War Badge) and this was typically earned by being part of two war patrols with each patrol sometimes lasting months at sea. Above that badge, and having the highest order of precedence, is the Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse (Iron Cross 1st. Class). Zölk has three ribbons but of the three, the only one which is identifiable is the Wehrmacht-Dienstauszeichnung (Long Service Award). This was a blue ribbon which had a eagle (adler) device affixed to it. If only by the appearance of the eagle, it may be the second lowest grade which was for 12 years of service. Through the buttonhole is the ribbon for the Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse (Iron Cross 2nd. Class). However, the most notable award is that of the Spanien-Kreuz (Spanish Cross) which is partially visible. This meant that Zölk likely served on one of the Kriegsmarine ships dispatched to Spain as part of Nordseegruppe (North Sea Group) during the Spanish Civil War. German forces were active in the conflict from July 29, 1936 through May 26, 1939.
On May 17, 1944, Zölk was awarded the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (German Cross in Gold) and because this decoration is not shown on his uniform in this image, we can date the photograph to sometime earlier. This prestigious award was received for repeated acts of valor or multiple outstanding achievements.
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