Erwin Adolph MANTHEY [1892-????]

Submitted by moddsey on Thu, 06/13/2024 - 00:35
Names
Given
Erwin Adolph
Family
Manthey
Sex
Male
Status
Deceased
Born
Date
Birthplace (town, state)
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Birthplace (country)
United States

Not much is known. He was formerly a Captain in the U.S. Army but retired in 1931.

Manthey was interned at Stanley Camp and repatriated in 1942. His arrival on the Gripsholm was recorded in The Daily News Times, Neenah, Menasha, Wisconsin here

 

Photos that show this Person

Comments

Memories of Captain Manthey from Don Ady:

We had an interesting chap down the hall from my Stanley quarters, a Captain Manthey, self described as a retired sea captain who had long commanded an American  freighter.  Manthey wore a white beard and once advised me that a tiny mushroom I found was edible (and I ate it without issue).  Manthey was one of those who read the mentioned paper [the Hong Kong News], and in doing so, counted up the allied sinkings tallied by the Japs.  He also said he knew the American civilian and naval ship tonnages.  According to Manthey (and this in 1942 while we Yanks were still there until June 29) the reported sinkings were double the possible tonnages, had the Japs actually sunk everything.  Manthey also played a little stunt in which he was suspected of kleptomania.  Actually he'd got a box of tea, and, generous soul, planned to share it.  But, lacking the tea service, he had gone around clandestinely "borrowing" enough cups, being seen doing so on at least one occasion.  After serving tea to his guests, they all thanked him, and carried their cups back without a comment on them.