Bet no one has thought of this one- Georg von Trapp in World War Two

[dayton3]

Georg von Trapp is of course most well known as the patriarch of the famous Von Trapp family singers immortalized in the musical and movie, The Sound of Music.     His opposition to the Nazis and most especially the German take over of his native Austria are well know points of those familiar with the movie and the families backstory.

Less well known is that Georg von Trapp in World War One was a highly skilled submarine commander.   He commanded two submarines and sank 13 vessels including an enemy surface warship and an enemy submarine (not a simple feat in those days).   Of course in the aftermath of World War One,  the remnants of what had been the Austria-Hungary Empire became landlocked and the need for an Austrian Navy pointless.

At any rate,  von Trapp was widely regarded as a skilled submarine commander and along about the time frame covered by the musical/movie he was offered a commission in the Germany Navy.   Of course given his opposition to the Nazis he refused.   As in the movie,  the Von Trapps  fled to Switzerland (later to the U.S.) 

But the Von Trapp family was suffering considerable financial problems at this time so it isn't inconceivable that Von Trapp might've been persuaded to accept a commission.

What impact might the presence of the highly experienced,  highly skilled Von Trapp had on the small German submarine force early in the war?    I imagine its possible his abilities might've increased their effectiveness considerably.   Whether that might've turned the war more strongly in favor of Germany is unknowable but an interesting prospect. 

[lordroel]

Jan 18, 2020 19:42:18 GMT dayton3 said:

Georg von Trapp is of course most well known as the patriarch of the famous Von Trapp family singers immortalized in the musical and movie.    His opposition to the Nazis and most especially the German take over of his native Austria are well know points of those familiar with the movie and the families backstory.

Less well known is that Georg von Trapp in World War One was a highly skilled submarine commander.   He commanded two submarines and sank 13 vessels including an enemy surface warship and an enemy submarine (not a simple feat in those days).   Of course in the aftermath of World War One,  the remnants of what had been the Austria-Hungary Empire became landlocked and the need for an Austrian Navy pointless.

At any rate,  von Trapp was widely regarded as a skilled submarine commander and along about the time frame covered by the musical/movie he was offered a commission in the Germany Navy.   Of course given his opposition to the Nazis he refused.   As in the movie,  the Von Trapps  fled to Switzerland (later to the U.S.) 

But the Von Trapp family was suffering considerable financial problems at this time so it isn't inconceivable that Von Trapp might've been persuaded to accept a commission.

What impact might the presence of the highly experienced,  highly skilled Von Trapp had on the small German submarine force early in the war?    I imagine its possible his abilities might've increased their effectiveness considerably.   Whether that might've turned the war more strongly in favor of Germany is unknowable but an interesting prospect. 

Well, no Sound of Music, not going to miss it, but him joining the Kriegsmarine is not going to effect the submarine war much.

[TheRomanSlayer]

Georg Von Trapp might have joined Admiral Canaris and his Schwarze Kapelle in their opposition to the Nazis. However, if he was killed by the Nazis during the war, Austria could use him as a symbol of their opposition to Hitler. They could say that Von Trapp fought for Austrian nationhood for propaganda purposes.

[dayton3]

Isn't it interesting that all three of Georg and Maria's children are still alive? Really old but still alive. Several of Georg's original 7 children also proved to be extremely long lived.

[lordroel]

Jan 18, 2020 22:57:49 GMT dayton3 said:

Isn't it interesting that all three of Georg and Maria's children are still alive? Really old but still alive. Several of Georg's original 7 children also proved to be extremely long lived.

But if he would serve, i think they will not be born.

[riggerrob]

Kapitan Georg von Trapp was born in 1880, making him 34 years old at the onset of World War 1. But he was 59 years old at the onset of World War 2, making him too old for sea-duty. von Trapp might have served as a senior staff officer in the Nazi Navy - and he would have been valuable as a propaganda officer if he was willing to renounce his anti-Nazi beliefs. Otherwise, von Trapp would have been most valuable training young U-Boat officers.

[1bigrich]

Jan 18, 2020 19:42:18 GMT dayton3 said:

Less well known is that Georg von Trapp in World War One was a highly skilled submarine commander.   He commanded two submarines and sank 13 vessels including an enemy surface warship and an enemy submarine (not a simple feat in those days). 

The French armored cruiser Leon Gambetta, IIRC.  

[1bigrich]

Sept 18, 2020 17:21:25 GMT riggerrob said:

Kapitan Georg von Trapp was born in 1880, making him 34 years old at the onset of World War 1. But he was 59 years old at the onset of World War 2, making him too old for sea-duty. von Trapp might have served as a senior staff officer in the Nazi Navy - and he would have been valuable as a propaganda officer if he was willing to renounce his anti-Nazi beliefs. Otherwise, von Trapp would have been most valuable training young U-Boat officers.

I think you're right about that, his age would have precluded a combat posting, if serving at all he would have been involved in training....

Regards,

[lordroel]

Jan 18, 2020 19:42:18 GMT dayton3 said:

Georg von Trapp is of course most well known as the patriarch of the famous Von Trapp family singers immortalized in the musical and movie, The Sound of Music.     His opposition to the Nazis and most especially the German take over of his native Austria are well know points of those familiar with the movie and the families backstory.

Less well known is that Georg von Trapp in World War One was a highly skilled submarine commander.   He commanded two submarines and sank 13 vessels including an enemy surface warship and an enemy submarine (not a simple feat in those days).   Of course in the aftermath of World War One,  the remnants of what had been the Austria-Hungary Empire became landlocked and the need for an Austrian Navy pointless.

At any rate,  von Trapp was widely regarded as a skilled submarine commander and along about the time frame covered by the musical/movie he was offered a commission in the Germany Navy.   Of course given his opposition to the Nazis he refused.   As in the movie,  the Von Trapps  fled to Switzerland (later to the U.S.) 

But the Von Trapp family was suffering considerable financial problems at this time so it isn't inconceivable that Von Trapp might've been persuaded to accept a commission.

What impact might the presence of the highly experienced,  highly skilled Von Trapp had on the small German submarine force early in the war?    I imagine its possible his abilities might've increased their effectiveness considerably.   Whether that might've turned the war more strongly in favor of Germany is unknowable but an interesting prospect. 

That means he needs to join the submarine force in the early years, also he would already be in the 60s when the war broke out, is that not a little bit to old for a submarine commander.