15th August 1942
U-Boat Acceptance Commission
Feldpost postcard with military illustration by Rudolf G. Werner (PK.) - PK = Propaganda Kompanien. Posted from FPN 31001 (Stab u. 1.-3. Kompanie Landesschutzen-Bataillon 983) to an address in Danzig. The address includes 'U.A.K. (T or I)' and the name 'Iberia'. 'U.A.K.' = Unterseeboots Abnahme Kommando - this being the U-Boat acceptance commission, the department that inspected and took receipt of new submarines from the shipyard. The name 'Iberia' was that of the barracks ship. The addressee appears to be a Oberfähnrich (with some letters missing). This meant he was a senior officer cadet with the assimilated rank of Oberfeldwebel. Ref: 15.08.1942
Organization of the U.A.K.
The U.A.K. (Unterseeboots Abnahme Kommando - the U-Boat acceptance commission, the department that inspects and takes receipt of new submarines from the shipyard) is placed under the military E.K.K. (Erprobungskommando für Kreigsshiffbauen - Operational test command for warship construction and new vessel trials). All test run affairs are reported directly to the U.A.K. by Navy High Command orders.
The U.A.K. is made up of staff which is based in Kiel, and quartered in a U-boat tender the 'Acheron' and 6 submarine acceptance groups (U.A.G. - Unterseeboots Abwehr Gruppe - U-Boat acceptence section). The U.A.G. 1, 3 and 5 have their base in Danzig, and are housed aboard the 'Messina' and 'Iberia'. U.A.G. 2, 4 and 6 are based in Kiel and are housed aboard the 'Amazone'. Chief of the U.A.K. is a Senior Captain.
The staff of the U.A.K. is based together with his staff officers and staff members, the required officers, upper and middle construction officials for the ship and machine construction and the corresponding lower staff.
Every U.A.G. is passed by the head, the Military advisor, higher construction office for ship and machine construction and the required lower staff.
The U.A.K. is the superior service of the U.A.G.s. All corresponding matters from the U.A.G.s passes through the U.A.K.
In Danzig the head of the U.A.G. is the permanent representative of the chiefs of the U.A.K. He is the head of groups 3 and 5 over which all military and important test run issues are reviewed.
The U.A.K. has the administrative authority.
(Link to documents captured aboard U-505 on 4th June 1944)
The 'Iberia' of the Hamburg-America Line used as barracks in Danzig
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