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

Guys here is an interesting success story for you:

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 secretly 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 / partially true messages 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 months ago I was sucessful in contacting Mr. Riis, aged 91! After some correspondance and phonecalls, despite his rusty Icelandic, he has aggred to donate his Iron Crosse�s to my museum project! The reason the crosse�s 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.

Once I have the crosse�s in hand, I will post photos of them. 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.

This without doubt is a goldmine for any historically motivated collector like me.

Regards

Hinrik

That is a amazing story Hinrik, please keep us updated on those photos, and all the luck to you in finding that firearm. Something tells me you will find it, because you are allways turning up great items! Amazing to of been able to contact this fellow, and the fact that he is still alive. Be sure to bring along a camera when you find it, take some
"ground" photos of the excavation!

Great story Hinrik. Good luck with your treasure hunt, and look forward to seeing the pics when you've found it!

Regards
Russell

Thanks guys, I am excited about this.

The hunt for the gun might be a difficult one, as the area he landed is big and long sandy beach. I will have to take a tent and supplies and stay for days.....or..if luck Mr. Riis map will be accurate!

Regards

Hinrik

I wish you luck in your endeavor.

Would like to hear and see more of your museum project.

--dj--Joe

Link to the EK's.
http://daggers.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/800097573/m/8270074124

Hinrik, how goes the project?

--dj--Joe

Joe / guys,

I still have not been able to go treasure hunting for the burried "Spy pistol" but I do have other good news. I found a soldbuch and medals beloning to one of the U-252 crew members. I was a bit sceptic, so I got the name "Ditrich Intermann" and I called the old man again...crossing my fingers, as I had spoken to him for a long time, and did not know if he had passed away, but he is still around and still sharp at 93 years old! I wanted to ask him if he rememberd this guy, and as soon as I told him the name= "ahhhh...yes he was one of our petty officers in the engine room" !

So as soon as I hung up, I emailed the dealer with the Soldbuch and ordered it with all the medals. EKI, EKII, U-boat badge and cap eagle. The words of the old man, when I told him I just bought this "Ohhhh boyyy" And I emailed his son some photos of the soldbuch and the mans photo. He was very happy with that.

He told me that he made very good friendship with U-252�s 1stWO (2nd in command) they used to sit in the U-252 conning tower hatch at night time and smoke pipe together. After the war, he was able to get a photo of his lost friend, which he still has today.

Please note, that in the photo: the photo is of Ib Riis and the EKI and EKII below are his awardeded crosses. The EKI within the blue circle is from first German pilot killed in Iceland, WWII, Ofw Hans Joachim Durfeld..but that is another story...

The medals and Soldbuch below is from Dietrich Intermann, U-252.

Nice to be able to display this story with more items related to it.

Regards

Hinrik:

Amazing. The collection and the story that goes with it are just fantastic.

Great work and a lot of luck, too.



John

Hinrik, congratulations on the success of your continued efforts and research.

Thanks for sharing.

--dj--Joe

Lucky you, and maximum respect to the old veteran for donating his awards for a museum purpose.

In the past two years plus since the post, have you been able to go on a pistol hunt?

Hello there,

Some true history in this one!

William Kramer

Doug,

The *****ula where Ib Riis was dropped off, is far away, with almost no roads and wast area to search. I think I have to plan it for a min of a weeks search time with tents, 4x4 etc

all 1 knew...you link is "dead"

Regards

Hinrik

www.ww2.is