I was puzzled to see the list mark 'POW' against Ernst Linka's name. Unless there were two naval doctors bearing the same name and birthdate, it is my belief that Ernst Linka was killed on 10 Apr 45 during the defence of the village of Steimbke in the district of Nienburg, Lower Saxony. Steimbke was defended by young soldiers of SS-Ausbildung und Ersatz Bataillon 12 'Hitler Jugend', which at the time was withdrawing from the Weser to the Aller. The action at Steimbke was fought against units of the British 29th Armoured Brigade. Why Linka was present is unknown but the reason is probably one of the following: 1. The Kriegsmarine had seconded him to the Waffen-SS battalion to make up for a shortfall in medical staff. 2. Linka belonged to 2.Marine-Infanterie-Division, which had reached the Aller on 8 Apr to defend its line between Verden and Essel, and the division had deployed him forward to help the many wounded in the Waffen-SS battalion following its fighting on the Weser and running battles during its withdrawal. I have a photograph of Linka's gravestone. Whatever the reason, Ernst Linka RIP.