UBB.threads Forums Uniform & Accessories Medals & Badges of the Third Reich Forum U-boat Spy EKI & EKII

Story:

A number of men where landed from U-boats to spy for the Nazi´s warmachine in WWII. One of them was named Ib Riis and was Icelandic / Danish. He was contacted by the Abwehr in Dannmark and forced to work for them. He was a ships captain and radioman before the war. He was unhappy with this arrangement and promised to give himself up to the British in Iceland, first thing he would arrive.

He was sent on U-252 to Norway and then on to Iceland. He landed in the remote peninsula of Langanes, 6 April, 1942. He burried his gun and radio, in seperate holes and started a long hike in bad weather, finally 17 hours later making to a local farm for shelter. He was interogated by the British in Reykjavik and then flown back to the landing site to find the raido, but he did not tell them about the gun.

Mr. Riis was given the cover of a Royal Navy officer and spent the next 3 years sending fake massages to his German handlers. He was involved in historically important events like the destruction of the PQ-17 convoy and battleship Sharnhorst. It seams the Germans never suspected him being a double agent. Ironically, for his "service" to the Germans, he was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd and 1st Class.

3 monrhs ago I was sucessful in contacting Mr. Riis, aged 91! After some correspondance and phonecalls, he has aggred to donate his Iron Crosses to my museum project! The reason the crosses survived the war, was because they were sent to his parents in Dennmark, along with his pay which keept his parents alive throughout the war.

the folloing are photos of the crosses. To the best of my knowladge, Ib Riis is the only Icelander in history to be officially awarded both the Iron Cross 1. and 2. class. A truely remarkable find for my collection. Next summer I am taking a map which Mr. Riis has marked in the location of his burried gun, and I will attempt to find it, using a metal detector and GPS. He says he burried in in the leather holster wrapped in an oil cloth and shirt.

The crosses are in very nice condition, specially the EKI case! Its the best conditioned one I have ever seen.

Regards

Hinrik

EKII photo 2

EKII photo 3

EKI in its beautiful case.

Sorry, but I still have not had them in my hands, as I am abroad working. Looking forward to go home on days off to see them. My friend took the photos for me, so I cant answer what the makers mark is on them.

Hope you like these historical crosses.

Hinrik

Hinrik,
Nice looking cross' and a very interesting story! Please keep us posted as to what you find, it will be very intersting to see what it looks like after all those years buried.

Fritziii

Looking forward to your findings. Thanks for sharing.

--dj--Joe

Hinrik,

It has been some time.

Any luck with your search?

Regards, --dj--Joe