In January 1945 the boat made passage from Danzig to Kiel carrying eight women and five children 
(including the wife of commander OLtzS Hans Homann and the wife and son of MaschMt Johann Wiest [Hans])

The original letter from Johann Weist' daughter in law, Doris as supplied by Hubertus Weggelaar at hubertuscrews@yahoo.com.au:

Wiest, Johann(Hans) MaschMt(Z) 	18.09.1922 	Neuwied 	05.07.1998 	Neuwied

"Wolfgang Wiest"
 
To:   <hubertus@ubootwaffe.net>
 
Subject:   U 1165
 
Date:   Sun, 23 Jan 2011 18:25:45 +0100
 
Hallo Hubertus,

Here I am. We have been on a little trip for a view days. But now I’ll do my very best.

May I first tell you a little story of U 1165, the reason, for writing my families story.

My father-in-law (Hans) came to Danziger Werft, when there was something to
repair and I think for a kind of inspection, for supplies (proviant) an so on. At one of
this stays he met my mother-in-law (Irma) and very soon they married.

In January 1945 everybody knows, that there was no chance for Danzig anymore.

First plan was, that Irma and her family should take the “Wilhelm Gustloff”. But her
parents would not.

When “Wilhelm Gustloff” was in Danzig, U 1165 was also there, damaged and unable
to submerge. They had to go to Kiel, for repairing. OL Hans Homann says: “We now
take our wives with us”. Hans hurried home by night: “Put your things together, we
leave in the early morning. If they see us, we have no chance, but we die together.”

On January 30. U 1165 left Danzig, on bord 8 women and 5 children. One of them
was OL Homanns wife and Irma with her little son, my husbands older brother.

After ? hours, they get a radio message: “There are civil persons on board, take the
next harbor (Sassnitz)”. They ignored it and went strait on to Kiel. Later on, one more
radio message: “Wilhelm Gustloff” was hit.

Irma felt very seasick, she thought she died. Later on, the sea was calm and she was
allowed to come on deck. A clear night, moon was shining and every thing around
was covered with ice, never seen something more beautiful.

 
Name: Wiest Johann (Hans)

Rank: Masch.Maat - Z-Maat

Born: 18.09.1922 Neuwied

Died:  05.07.1998 Neuwied

Notes:  U 755, U 1165. Pow.Camp 120 (letter from Jan. 1946)

                                  Pow.Camp  19 (letter some weeks later)

                                  Pow.No. B58730

 

Hans was, I dont find an english word for it, he wants to be a soldier for 12 years. We
Call it now “Berufssoldat” or “sich verpflichten fur 12 Jahre”.

Irma told me, that U 1165 was Hans’ 3rd boat. One of them sank and he was picked
up and later they where changed against other prisoners or something like this, she
has forgotten and it was before she knows Hans.

There is a series of pictures from Indienststellung (Commissioned ?) U 1165 in Hans’ 
Fotoalbum and a series from Indienststellung U 755 (3rd. November 41)  too. 

So I am sure, that he was on, but I don't know it from himself.

What about the 3rd. Boat ? I don’t know, perhaps it is a mistake. The last dated picture
From Breda in Holland (development) is from 16.9.1941, Indienststellung U 755 was
03.11.1941 - anything between ?

Between sinking U 755 und U 1165 is half a year ? .......

So, and that is enough

Regards

Doris