Werner Henke's Silver Presentation Flask

     The Northeastern Kentucky Museum has, for the past 36 years, maintained displays on all American wars.  We display U.S. equipment and selected captured items from the Pacific and Germany.  At the MAX show (Militaria Antiques Xtravaganza) in Charlotte, North Carolina several years ago, we were able to examine this beautiful silver flask in the booth of noted author and collector, Thomas T. Wittmann.  This flask had appeared earlier in Mr. Wittmann's excellent reference book Exploring the Dress Daggers of the German Navy, page 346, as being in the collection of well-known collector SGM (Ret.) Kenneth H. Rouse.  Mr. Wittmann is one of the founders of this excellent military show and the flask is also pictured in his company's advertisement on page 144 of the Show Program.  Below are pictures of the flask and Mr. Wittmann's description of the item.

     Mr. Wittmann writes:  "A fine silver flask presented to Korvettenkapitan Werner Henke by his proud crew.  It still remains in mint condition.  The flask is a rounded shape on the obverse, and on the reverse, it is tapered to fit the body.  The cap acts as a shot glass, and inside of this, is another cap which acts as a sealant.  The obverse of the flask has a beautiful Oak Leaves award applied to the center area.  The detail is extraordinary to the Oak Leaves and they look exactly like the actual award would be.  The dedication engraved on this flask is in five lines.  Two of the lines appear above the oak leaves and the other three below.  They are 'Herzlichen Gluckwunsch/ zum / Prost! / die stolze Bezatzung von / "U-515".  This dedication is translated as, 'In heartfelt best wishes on your Oak Leaves.  Cheers!  From the proud crew of U-515'.

     The flask also has the symbol of the 10th U-boat flotilla crest on the reverse.  It consists of a U-boat superimposed over a lined cross.  The flask comes with an original photograph of Henke wearing his Oak Leaves.  The photograph is dated 22 July 1944.  The photograph was released by Gross Admiral Donitz upon the death of Henke.  This flask is a absolute original artifact and unconditionally guaranteed".

     The Northeastern Kentucky Museum is proud to have added this historic piece to our collection.  We will handle it with care and hold it for future generations.  We invite your comments and corrections.  Price on request.  Call.

James Plummer
                                                                                                                                 

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