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Description: | obverse design : clenched fist emerging from the sea and threatening a British ensign which flies above it. The ensign
bears the stitched outline characters "U41" within the inner angles of its cross
obverse text : "ALBION'S EHREN-FLAGGE"
reverse design : sailing ship, armed with two cannon and carrying a crew of two. A US ensign is being hoisted by a rating, a British ensign
by his side. To the left, in prow, an officer aims his pistol at a figure swimming towards the vessel
reverse text : "24.SEPTEMBER" (upper right edge)
exergue : "1915"
This 1915 satirical medal represents a censure of the use made by the Royal Navy of 'Q' (or 'Decoy') ships in order to
protect merchant shipping from U-boat attack. In particular Goetz cites as criminal the actions of Lieutenant-Commander Godfrey Herbert,
the captain of the Q-ship SS Baralong, leading to and immediately following the destruction of the U-41 in the Atlantic on 24 September
1915. The obverse text is translated as 'Albion's flag of honour'.
In common with German U-boat commanders Goetz considered Q-ships and their crews as pirates, because they exploited the flags and colours
of neutral countries and wore civilian clothes until the moment they attacked. See also MED 331. In fact, other countries, including
Germany, used Q-ships during the war. | Publisher: | http://www.iwm.org.uk | Subjects: | DE.N & U41 Weapons satirical SS Baralong (Q-ship) Atlantic & U41 Royal Navy Destruction of by SS Baralong & 24/9/1915 commemorative First World War | Source: | Imperial War Museum | Creator: | Goetz, Karl | Identifier: | http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/o... | Go to resource |
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