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Erich Topp Interview - 1994
Tape H-50
RADM Erich Topp was one of only five U-boat Skippers to earn the Knights Cross with Oak Leaf and Crossed Swords, one of only 28 to be awarded the Submarine Combat Badge in Gold with Diamonds, and he was the third most successful submarine Skipper of any nation in World War II. He also sank the first American warship (USS REUBEN JAMES) more than a month before Pearl Harbor. He commanded U-57 then U-552, then commanded a training and evaluation Flotilla of Type XXI and XXIII boats and at the end of the war, he was Skipper of U-2513, a Type XXI boat.
Formal photo on Receipt of his Home after a war patrol;
Crossed Swords to the Knights he had 18 war patrols!
Cross with Oak Leaf.
Why did he sink an American ship when the USA was not at war? In this interview, Erich speaks about the REUBEN JAMES incident; he compares submarine tactics between WW II and today’s modern submarines; and he discusses the Treaty of Versailles and what effect that had on the outbreak of WW II.
What did Erich Topp think of GrossAdmiral Karl Dönitz? What did he think of his fellow Skippers? When did he realize that the war was lost? It's all on this tape, and he pulls no punches.
This was part of the 7-SKIPPERS tape; no longer available.
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