Last Ceremonial Flag Parade of the S-Boats in Gelting Bight

On 10.05.1945 the Chief of Staff, FKpt. Herbert-Max Schultz, issued the order for the last ceremonial flag parade of the S-boats of the Kriegsmarine assembled in the Gelting Bight.

The 1. S.-Fl., the 5. S.-Fl., the 2. S.-Schoolfl. were on the grounds of rescuing thausants of soldiers from the encircled Kurland called the "Kurland-Flotillas". 

On the 11.05.1945 the complements of the S-Boats assembled in the Geltig Bight fell in a last time in "1. Garnitur blau" (Full Dress) for a last ceremonial flag parade. The Führer der Schnellboote, Kapitän zur See Rudolf Petersen, held a speech, then the flags were pulled down, the command signs stayed waved on. The S-Boat-Force was closed down.

Mustering in the Gelting Bight 

(Picture from V. Kühn: Schnellboote im Einsatz 1939 - 1945)