| Gerhart Beilharz | |
| Fictional Character | |
| The War That Came Early POD: July 20, 1936; Relevant POD: September 29, 1938 | |
| Appearance(s): | All volumes |
| Type of Appearance: | Direct |
| Nationality: | Germany |
| Date of Birth: | 20th century |
| Occupation: | Engineer, Sailor |
| Military Branch: | Kriegsmarine (Second World War) |
Gerhart Beilharz was the German Kriegsmarine expert on snorkels. He was assigned duty as a second engineer onboard the submarine U-30 when that boat was selected to test the first snorkel. Lt. Julius Lemp was not initially impressed by either, privately viewing the need for a second engineer as the same as a fighter plane needing a second propeller on its tail. However, Beilharz was enthusiastic about his new toy and it proved useful on its first cruise, allowing Lemp to sneak up on a British cruiser and sink it.[1]
Beilharz was uncommonly tall, at about 2 meters (6'6") which was especially a problem in the cramped spaces of a U-boat. He had acquired a Stahlhelm helmet from a cousin in the infantry prior to joining the U-30 crew and wore it constantly onboard to prevent himself from accidentally braining himself on a low-hanging pipe or valve if he forgot to duck.[2]
Over time, Lt. Lemp appreciated the snorkel more and more, with it giving his U-boat an underwater approach faster that that on batteries. He began logging it in action reports along with Beilharz's name[3] and was quite willing to do the same when asked by Admiral Karl Dönitz during a face-to face-debriefing.[4]
References
- ↑ Hitler's War, pgs. 423-427, HC.
- ↑ Ibid, pg. 423.
- ↑ West and East, pgs. 329-330, HC.
- ↑ Ibid, pg. 371.
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