{"id":46788,"date":"2025-06-17T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-17T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/marineforum.online\/?p=46788"},"modified":"2025-09-29T21:31:24","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T19:31:24","slug":"wilhelmshaven-successful-poen-ex-for-destroyer-moelders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/marineforum.online\/en\/wilhelmshaven-erfolgreiches-poen-ex-fuer-zerstoerer-moelders\/","title":{"rendered":"Wilhelmshaven - successful P\u00f6n-Ex for destroyer M\u00d6LDERS"},"content":{"rendered":"

The museum ship \"M\u00f6lders\" has been the largest exhibit in the German Naval Museum (DMM) since 2005.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Since then, a so-called P\u00f6n-Ex has been carried out regularly in spring and autumn. Important maintenance activities in which former destroyer drivers support the DMM and carry out repairs and improvements.<\/p>\n

\"P\u00f6n-Ex-Crew
P\u00f6n-Ex-Crew - Group picture with on-board dog Rocky. Photo: P\u00f6n-Ex-Crew<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In the first week of May, almost 40 alumni from all over Germany gathered on board to give the \"M\u00f6lders\" another makeover. The P\u00f6n ex-crew was supported by some of the women who had travelled with them and the ship's dog Rocky.<\/p>\n

Rangeklotzt<\/strong><\/p>\n

The results of this week-long work assignment are impressive. On the planned work stations (upper deck, outer skin and superstructure with its many niches and antennas), \"marine gold\" was removed and repainted so that the \"M\u00f6lders\" looks as good as new again, as if after a \"shipyard lay-up\".<\/p>\n

Courageous crew members with a head for heights were required, especially for the work at lofty heights. And the never-ending handrails on the companionway from the bridge deck to the ASROC deck were also refitted with great attention to detail and patient manual labour. Even a wedding ceremony on board on the first day did not disrupt the schedule and did not upset the crew. Loud rust knocking was simply postponed for the duration of the wedding ceremony.<\/p>\n

Appreciation<\/strong><\/p>\n

A few weeks before the P\u00f6n-Ex, the last commander of the L\u00dcTJENS had an edition of 200 coins designed and produced for the 1st Destroyer Squadron. Such an exquisite memento did not exist when the 103 was active. The coin features the silhouette of the ship on the obverse and the coats of arms of the squadron and the three guided missile destroyers \"L\u00fctjens\" (D 185), \"M\u00f6lders\" (D 186) and \"Rommel\" (D 187) on the reverse. As expected, almost all the coins have already been sold. One euro per coin was earmarked for the P\u00f6n-Ex crew, who have been making sure that the German Naval Museum's showpiece is so colourful for many years.<\/p>\n

This unprecedented commitment deserves great recognition, and so it was possible to donate \u20ac558 to retired chief mate Uwe Regitz, a regular participant in the P\u00f6n-Ex and former M\u00f6lders rider who lives in Saarland. The fact that this amount is well over \u20ac200 is thanks to the many coin buyers who went the extra mile when paying. The sum corresponds exactly to the addition of the hull numbers of the three destroyers, and is of course not random. The person responsible and \"coach\" of the P\u00f6n-Ex, Olaf Dietrich from Hamburg, has expressed his sincere thanks for the idea and the generous donation, which has found a drinkable and edible destination.<\/p>\n

The author would like to pass on his thanks to all those involved.<\/p>\n

Retired frigate captain Michael Meding was the last commander to decommission the destroyer \"L\u00fctjens\" in 2003.<\/p>\n

Text and photos: Michael Meding \/ P\u00f6n-Ex-Crew<\/p>\n