Obituaries

MIRIAM CROPPER BISHOP Berlin

Miriam Cropper Bishop, 84, of Berlin, Maryland, died on Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, at Coastal Hospice at the Lake, Salisbury, Maryland.

She was born and raised in Ocean City, Maryland. She was the daughter of the late Miriam Birch Cropper and Leroy James Cropper, Sr. of Ocean City.

She was a member of the last graduating class of Ocean City High School in 1954. She married in 1955 and moved to Houston, Texas.

While in Houston, she was employed by National Supply Company and University of Texas Dental Branch as a clerk typist; Avon sales representative, winning many awards; managed Sharpway Cleaners substation and Pilgrim Cleaners substation. She moved back to Ocean City, Maryland, in 1993 and worked at Assateague Greens Golf Center until her retirement. She loved interacting with her customers and treating them like family.

She is survived by two sons, Alan Bishop, Alvin, Texas and Gregory Bishop (Andrea), Westminster, Colorado; one brother, Richard Cropper (Susan), Salisbury, Maryland; one sister, Susan Birch (Victor), Berlin, Maryland; one sister-in-law, Martha Cropper, West Ocean City, Maryland; four grandchildren, Dwayne Bishop (Brandy), Colorado; Kevin Bishop, Texas; Jessica Duran, Colorado; and Julia Bishop, New York; two greatgrandchildren, Damian and Anaiya Duran, Colorado; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Leroy James Cropper, Jr.; her sister and brother-in-law, Sarah and Ron Hoar; and the father of her children, Robbie Lee Bishop.

Miriam Bishop

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WORLD WAR II

Continued from Page 55 merous. They were followed by escort aircraft carriers, which were built on commercial hulls of about 10,000 tons. Almost 100 escort carriers were built by the U.S. and Britain.

Allied aircraft of every kind, submarine detecting devices, such as the ASDIC, the search radar, the high frequency direction finders, and the ULTRA code breaking system all contributed to the final Allied victory in the Battle of the Atlantic.

After the summer of 1940, Uboats attacked in “Wolf Packs.” When a U-boat came across a convoy, it would radio its position to a number of other submarines, which would close in on the convoy. Then they would wait until nightfall and make surface attacks in numbers. On Oct. 18, 1940, a pack of U-boats attacked slow convoy SC–7, sinking 15 ships in six hours. The next day, reinforced by three more U-boats, the pack attacked the 49ship convoy HX-79, sinking 12 ships in one night.

On Nov. 19, 1942, Adm. Max Horton became the commander-in-chief of the Western Approaches Command. This command was responsible for organizing and protecting convoys in the western part of the British Isles.

He remained in this position until the end of hostilities on Aug. 15, 1945. Horton’s leadership played a vital role in the final defeat of the U-boat menace. He used the increasing number of escorts that were available to organize “support groups” that were used to reinforce convoys that were attacked.

Unlike the regular escort groups, the support groups were not directly responsible for the safety of any particular convoy. This lack of responsibility gave them greater tactical flexibility, allowing them to detach ships to hunt submarines spotted by reconnaissance or picked up by highfrequency direction finding (HF/DF).

In situations where the regular escorts would have had to return to their convoy, the support groups were able to persist in hunting a submarine for many hours until it was forced to the surface.

By mid-1943, convoys were having far greater success in getting to Britain. In May, two convoys reached Britain without losing a single ship, while six U-boats were lost. Between April 1943 and July 1943, 109 Uboats were lost. Adm. Dönitz withdrew his U-boats from the battle as a temporary measure. U-boats were never able to come back to the Atlantic in force as they did early in the war.

The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest continuous military campaign of WWII, running from 1939 to the defeat of Germany in 1945. It was at its height from mid-1940 to the end of 1943.

The convoys of merchant ships, coming mainly from North America and the South Atlantic and going to the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union, were protected, for the most part, by the British and Canadian navies and air forces. These forces were aided by ships and aircraft of the United States from Sept. 13, 1941 to the end of the war.

On the German side, they were joined by submarines of the Regia Marina Italia, after Italy entered the war on June 10, 1940. These Italian submarines operated mainly from the French port of Bordeaux, under the name of BETASOM, which is an Italian acronym for Italian Submarines Operating from Bordeaux.

In total, 32 Italian submarines entered the Atlantic. They were all based in Bordeaux. Dönitz, objected to Italian submarines operating in the same areas as U-boats, because they were not equipped with the Enigma machines. Hence there was no way to communicate with them, which put them in danger if they were to operate in the same areas as Uboats. The two navies agreed that the Italians would patrol the South Atlantic around Brazil.

The Italian submarines that were sent into the South Atlantic were comparable in size and speed to the German type-IX U-boats. They were hindered, however, by several factors: training was not as good as the German; they lacked access to intelligence on the location of Allied convoys; their torpedo fire control system was antiquated compared to the German one.

They managed to sink 109 Allied merchant ships, from every nationality, totaling 593,864 tons. Most of these submarines were sunk, and those remaining after the Italian surrender in September 1943 were taken over by Germany and sent into the Indian Ocean to operate from Penang in Malaya.

The most successful Italian submarine in the Atlantic was the Leonardo da Vinci, which sank 17 Allied ships totaling 120,243 tons, making her the top scoring non-German submarine of the entire war.

On March 14, 1943, the Leonardo da Vinci sank the Canadian ship, Empress of Canada, which was carrying hundreds of Italian POWs and Polish and Greek refugees. Altogether, 149 Italian POWs perished.

Early during the war, German Uboat successes against British and American shipping were so remarkable that on January 1943, the Allies issued a decree in Casablanca that made the defeat of German U-boats a number one priority. Churchill said that, “The only thing that ever really frightened me during the war was the U-boat peril.”

Thirty-four U-boat captains became aces for sinking 100,000 tons of Allied shipping. These men sank 873 ships for a total of 4.8 million tons. Another 50 U-boat captains were aces for sinking between 50,000 and 100,000 tons each. They were responsible for sinking 715 ships for a total of 3.5 million tons.

During the Battle of the Atlantic, the three highest scoring aces were: Capt. Otto Kretschmer, who sank 46 ships of 273,043 tons; Capt. Wolfgang Luth, who sank 46 ships of 225,204 tons; and Capt. Erich Topp, who sank 35 ships of 197,460 tons.

Next week: Moscow Conference

If you’re single, get prepared to mingle, Aries. If you’re attached, then your relationship will only grow stronger in the days to come. Romance is in the air, so embrace it. TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21

Taurus, even if you’re feeling a little stuck in your relationships, do not push others away. There may be a solution you’re simply not seeing. Delve deeper. GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21

Gemini, it may be time to break away from the typical routine — at least for a little while. This can offer you a new perspective that puts you on an interesting path. CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22

Someone close to you may be thinking of a reinvention and wants your opinion, Cancer. Support this person and all the changes he or she desires. LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

Good habits will pay off in the days to come, Leo. So if you’re ready to make some changes, think about those that will improve your overall health and well-being. VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22

Virgo, if you’re feeling pressured to have fun, then you probably will not enjoy yourself no matter how hard you try. Try not to force things and take them as they come. LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23

A place you always enjoyed visiting may no longer hold the same appeal for you, Libra. That’s okay because everyone grows and evolves. Enjoy finding a new source of inspiration. SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

You must make yourself available if you expect others to want to share ideas or information with you, Scorpio. So far you may have been a bit distant. Change this. SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21

Figure out where your comfort levels lie, Sagittarius. Only then will you know just how far beyond those levels you’re willing to push yourself to try new things. CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

Capricorn, even though you have strong instincts about something, your emotions also may be running hot. Therefore, you might not be able to trust your instincts just yet. AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

Aquarius, your energy levels could be waning, but that’s because you have been pushing yourself very hard lately. It’s time to rest to be recharged for later.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20

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A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

MARY ELLEN CROPPER Newark

Mary Ellen Cropper, age 96, died on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021.

Born in Berlin, she was the daughter of the late Carl L. and Grace Ellen (Rayne) Wells.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William G. Cropper in 2009; brother, Carl William Wells; and son-in-law, Presley L. “Andy” Hayes.

Surviving are her children: son, William Carlton Cropper of Newark, and daughter, Deborah C. Hayes of Charlottesville, Virginia.

She was a devoted grandmother of two grandchildren, Ryan Hayes and Robin Hayes Verrier, and her husband, Jack.

While in training for her nursing degree, Mrs. Cropper had served as a cadet nurse in WWll. Receiving her RN degree in 1945 from Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia, she was the youngest nursing candidate ever admitted.

She worked at Johns Hopkins’ Wilmer Eye Division in Baltimore before returning to the shore where she was employed at Peninsula General Hospital, where she did private and general duty nursing for 30 years.

She married William G. Cropper in 1947 and joined Trinity Methodist Church in Newark, Maryland. She served as treasurer, and on the cemetery committee for several years.

An excellent cook, she was also noted for her style. She also spent a great deal of her time caring for many elderly relatives.

A celebration of life will be announced at a future date. Interment will be in Trinity Garden of Memory Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a donation in her memory may be made to: Trinity United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 36, Newark, Maryland 21841.

Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. Letters of condolence may be sent to the family via: www.burbagefuneralhome.com.

DIANA J. BOWMAN Ocean City

On Aug. 5, 2021, Diana J. (Fersterman) Bowman passed away.

She was the beloved wife for 40 years to the late John E. Bowman, who she missed dearly.

Devoted mother of Kelli Meusel and her husband, Bryan, Kristi Impallaria and her husband, Timothy, and John Bowman, Jr. and his wife, Stephanie Bamberger; loving grandmother of Ashleigh Robinson and her husband, Brian, Aubrey Lear and her husband, Jacob, Bryan Meusel, Jr. and his fiancé, Emily Reeve, Zoe Stewart, Brooke Bowman, Jack Bowman, Lilian Yungmann, Allison Impallaria, Lauren Impallaria, Ryan Impallaria, and the late Mackenzie Stewart; and cherished great-grandmother of Leighana Rose Robinson.

Diana and John bought their house in Caine Keys II in 1980; renovated it in 2000 and became full-time residents when they retired in 2001.

Tragically, John passed suddenly in 2003 and Diana lived in the home they created together for one month shy of 18 years. During that time, Diana was an officer at the OC Senior Center, an officer of Caine Keys II Neighborhood Association, and a member of three pinochle clubs – Monday OC Seniors, Wednesday Berlin Seniors and Thursday, OC Seniors.

Diana loved fishing, gardening, watching birds, having dinner with friends, traveling, playing in card clubs in Baltimore and Ocean City and sunset boat rides.

She adored her children, grandchildren and great-grand daughter and they loved her more than all the waves in the ocean.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Worcester County Senior Center, 104 41st Street, Ocean City, Maryland 21842 on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, from noon to 3 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Ocean City Firefighters/Paramedics, P.O. Box 3217, Ocean City, Maryland 21843; or Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) Morale Committee, 6501 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, Maryland 21842.

CHARLES GRAFTON KITZIG Berlin

Charles Grafton Kitzig, Sr. died on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021 at TidalHealth, Peninsula Regional in Salisbury. Born in Baltimore, he was the son of the late Charles A. Kitzig and Grace Price Kitzig. He is survived by his wife, Niv Kitzig; and children, Charles Kitzig, Jr., and his wife. Kathy, Mary Kitzig, John Kitzig, Jean Kitzig, Angela Urban and her husband. Bill, and John Wood.

There are eight grandchildren, Amie, Nathan, Harrison, Sophie, Samantha, Jessica, Elisa and Elaine, and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth I. Snyder, in 1978; two brothers, Samuel and Arvid Anderson; and sister, Grace Snyder.

Also surviving are two sisters, Evelyn Collins and Jeanette Christman, and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Kitzig had served in the United States Navy during the Korean War, and later worked for Burroughs Corp. as a computer installer.

Having a strong faith in God, he held many leadership positions in the church and most recently attended Holy Savior Catholic Church, and sang with the choir.

He was a member of the Ocean Pines Bowling Club and the Ocean Pines Golf League. He was also a fan of the Baltimore Colts of long ago.

Cremation followed his death. Inurnment will be in the Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery in Hurlock, Maryland, on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021, at noon.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in his memory may be made to the Ocean Pines Fire Department, Emergency Medical Services, 911 Ocean Parkway, Berlin, Maryland 21811.

Letters of condolence may be sent via: www.burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.

Diana Bowman

Charles Kitzig