Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 483 6 Jan 2021
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GERMANY, Kaiserreich. Otto Weddigen, Kapitänleutnant. 1882-1915. FE Medal (105mm, 324.2 g, 12h). The 'Broad Fourteens' Campaign, U-9, and the Action of 22 September 1914. By M. Ziegler and H. Grunthal, Berlin. Dated 22 September 1914. KAPITÄNLEUTNANT OTTO WEDDIGEN, bust facing slightly left, wearing peaked cap / HMS Aboukir sinking; HMS Hogue and HMS Cressy in background; in exergue, DIE VERNICHTUNG DER ENGLISCHEN/ PANZERKREUZER ABOUKIR/ HOGUE CRESSY DURCH/ U 9. Zetzmann 4003 note; Westfälische Auktionsgesellschaft 29, lot 2471. For a similar medal in silver: CNG E-471, lot 579 (hammer $325). Attractive blackened surfaces, with great relief. Choice EF. A powerful naval scene in an extremely large and rare format.
Otto Weddigen was a U-boat commander during World War I, most notable for his involvement in the 'Broad Fourteens' campaign during the latter part of September 1914, where he destroyed three British cruisers. The Broad Fourteens were so named on account of nautical terminology; on a map with the sea's depth given in fathoms, the area west of the Netherlands contains numerous markings indicating a consistent depth of 14 fathoms (84 feet), thus the 'broad fourteens.' While his vessel, U-9, was patrolling this area, he encountered not one, but three British cruisers-HMSs Aboukir, Hogue, and Cressy, successfully destroying all three with the U-9's torpedoes. Highly decorated for these exploits, he later succumbed at sea, commanding the U-29 which was rammed and cut into two pieces by the HMS Dreadnought in March 1915.
Otto Weddigen was a U-boat commander during World War I, most notable for his involvement in the 'Broad Fourteens' campaign during the latter part of September 1914, where he destroyed three British cruisers. The Broad Fourteens were so named on account of nautical terminology; on a map with the sea's depth given in fathoms, the area west of the Netherlands contains numerous markings indicating a consistent depth of 14 fathoms (84 feet), thus the 'broad fourteens.' While his vessel, U-9, was patrolling this area, he encountered not one, but three British cruisers-HMSs Aboukir, Hogue, and Cressy, successfully destroying all three with the U-9's torpedoes. Highly decorated for these exploits, he later succumbed at sea, commanding the U-29 which was rammed and cut into two pieces by the HMS Dreadnought in March 1915.