Gerhart Beilharz

Gerhart Beilharz was the German [[Kriegsmarine#Kriegsmarine in The War That Came Early
 * Kriegsmarine]] expert on snorkels. He was assigned duty as a second engineer onboard U-30 when that boat was selected to test the first snorkel. Lt. Julius Lemp was not initially impressed by either, privately viewing the need for a second engineer as the same as a fighter plane needing a second propeller on its tail. However, Beilharz was enthusiastic about his new toy and it proved useful on its first cruise, allowing Lemp to sneak up on a British cruiser and sink it. ''

Beilharz was uncommonly tall, at about 2 meters (6'6") which was especially a problem in the cramped spaces of a U-boat. He had acquired a Stahlhelm helmet from a cousin in the infantry prior to joining the U-30 crew and wore in constantly onboard to prevent himself from accidentally braining himself on a low-hanging pipe or valve if he forgot to duck. ''