World War I U-Boat Commander. Born in the Einsiedel section of Chemnitz, he joined the German navy as a cadet in 1909. He was first assigned to the cruiser SMS Victoria Louise where he continued his naval education. In 1912, after moving to the pocket cruiser SMS Berlin, he was promoted to lieutenant. He then became signals officer aboard the pocket cruiser SMS Strassburg, which post he held to the outbreak of World War I. In 1915, after a short assignment to the battlecruiser SMS Seidlitz as signals officer, he was sent to submarine school with a promotion to Oberleutnant. In late 1916, he took over command of UC-75, followed by UB-57 in January 1918. In mid-August while returning home from a mission, UB-57 was lost, likely to a mine. His body later washed ashore. The 3rd U-boat Flotilla in Kiel was named for him in 1937. His awards included the Iron Cross 1st Class and the Pour le Merite. Submarines under his command sank 13 ships totaling 151,000 GRT, which made him one of the most effective sub commanders of World War I.
World War I U-Boat Commander. Born in the Einsiedel section of Chemnitz, he joined the German navy as a cadet in 1909. He was first assigned to the cruiser SMS Victoria Louise where he continued his naval education. In 1912, after moving to the pocket cruiser SMS Berlin, he was promoted to lieutenant. He then became signals officer aboard the pocket cruiser SMS Strassburg, which post he held to the outbreak of World War I. In 1915, after a short assignment to the battlecruiser SMS Seidlitz as signals officer, he was sent to submarine school with a promotion to Oberleutnant. In late 1916, he took over command of UC-75, followed by UB-57 in January 1918. In mid-August while returning home from a mission, UB-57 was lost, likely to a mine. His body later washed ashore. The 3rd U-boat Flotilla in Kiel was named for him in 1937. His awards included the Iron Cross 1st Class and the Pour le Merite. Submarines under his command sank 13 ships totaling 151,000 GRT, which made him one of the most effective sub commanders of World War I.
Bio by: Kenneth Gilbert
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
