Comes with leather case. Otto Kretschmer was only in combat from September 1939 until March 1941 but was Germany's highest-scoring U-boat commander, sinking 47 ships totaling 274,333 tons. Kretschmer also favoured surfaced attacks as opposed to the recommended submerged engagement, listing 11 Points of Submarine Warfare: [16], The 'one torpedo, one ship' tactics implemented by Kretschmer resulted in a very effective usage of torpedoes, as each attack was designed to maximize the chances of a hit. Prien achieved several sinkings, Kretschmer did not; the pair was chased off by destroyers. "He admitted that he had become weary of the war some time ago, and latterly had got no satisfaction from sinking ship after ship.". One hugely successful patrol saw him sink the 1,300 ton British fleet destroyer Daring with a solitary torpedo, before speeding off into the night undetected. On seeing the craters of a stick of bombs near Buckingham Palace he was genuinely shocked that an attempt had so obviously been made by his countrymen to bomb the Palace. For this he received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords, among other awards. On 1 June 1965, he was promoted to Flottillenadmiral (flotilla admiral/Commodore/Rear Admiral), a rank which he initially held on probation. [22], U-23 departed from Kiel on 8 January 1940 for its sixth war patrol and Schnee had been replaced by Oberleutnant zur See Hans-Dietrich von Tiesenhausen. Restore content access for purchases made as guest, Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing & Allied Health, 48 hours access to article PDF & online version, Choose from packages of 10, 20, and 30 tokens, Can use on articles across multiple libraries & subject collections. [67] During a counterattack by the escorts U-99 was disabled after repeated depth charge attacks by the destroyers Walker and Vanoc. Prien along with his crew disappeared, presumably in a depth charge attack. Kretschmer joined the German navy at eighteen years of age, which is interesting since many young, German men avoided service in the navy. I gratefully acknowledge the help of Marianna Colasuonno for patiently reading the manuscript and providing valuable suggestions throughout the drafting of this paper. The Reichsmarine was renamed the Kriegsmarine, a Nazi creation. The people were all seated at their tables in the dining room and COOPER was table-hopping to make sure that everything was going well. [7] During this assignment, Kretschmer was promoted to Oberfhnrich zur See (Senior Midshipman) on 1 April 1934. [53] In December Kretschmer tried to intercept Convoy HX 90 but encountered only stragglers. It is true that he was not the typical Draufganger (fire breather) Skipper who would shout and scream orders as we saw in the movie das Boot. We will cover his accomplishments on another page. While his wartime actions have been narrated several times, his tactics, summarized by the famous motto one torpedo, one ship, have never been systematically analysed. OTTO and his L.I. The booklet was the music and award document, and the flowers were handed to him by Fraulein von Ribbentrop. On the night of 18/19 October, Berndt escaped from the camp. At the Indienststellung (commissioning) of U-99. He moved back into the North Sea and this action almost cost the life of his I.W.O., Adalbert Schnee, who later commanded U-201. Later in the war, his ship was torpedoed; before that he nursed a bent-nosed destroyer back to port after ramming a U-boat. 3099067 After a running convoy battle in which KRETSCHMER did not sleep for two days straight, he exhausted his torpedoes and set course for home. Hitler invited Kretschmer to sit in on a lunch meeting with Hitler and Vyacheslav Molotov, the Soviet Union's ambassador to the Third Reich. [64] Four ships were sunk, but two U-boats were sunk, one of which was U-47. However, he was haunted by the image of a lone survivor in a life raft who would surely die if not rescued. Rsing's successor, Hermann Michahelles, was killed in a car accident and Kretschmer assumed command for two weeks. They fought Canadian troops armed with ice hockey sticks, and only surrendered when the guards brought in high-pressure water hoses. Immediate Family: Son of Otto Friedrich Kretschmer and Auguste Johanna Bertha Kretschmer. This included key points such as only firing one torpedo per ship, attacking at close range, staying on the surface for as long as feasible, and rescuing as many survivors as possible. Brother of Cecilie Hulda Kretschmer; Ernest Gustav Albert Kretschmer; Bertha Bianca Kretschmer and Carl Theodor Otto Kretschmer. [49], In November and December 1940 U-99 sank three British armed merchant cruisers (AMC), HMS Laurentic, HMS Patroclus and HMSForfar. Note that the crew is all wearing fresh coveralls and beards neatly trimmed. Pyers Symon. The ship was accompanied by three other vessels, but she was darkened and the black out aroused Kretschmer's suspicions. [18] Kretschmer served in this function until 18 June 1964 when he was appointed chief-of-staff of the Befehlshaber der Seestreitkrfte der Nordsee (German national Commander Naval Forces North Sea). Three days later he departed for his seventh war patrol. For this he received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves . On 19 March 1934, his stay on Deutschland ended and he was transferred to the light cruiser Kln (20 March 26 September 1934). Kretschmer sank all but one of the ships lost by the convoy. Otto Kretschmer was the most successful U-boat commander of the Second World War. His school report contained the remark: "Kretschmer demonstrated his extraordinary courage in many instances. His father, a teacher, decided to send him to the UK, and Exeter was his destination. Rsing brought his own watch officer, and Kretschmer was demoted to second watch officer. Con su legendario submarino Tipo VII, el U-99, se apunt desde Septiembre de 1.939 hasta Marzo de 1.941, 47 barcos hundidos con un total de 274.333 toneladas. He hand signed some of our very rare fine art prints. [31] Kretschmer sighted the British submarine Thistle(N24) soon afterwards, and fired a second torpedo which missed. The ship did not reach port. He fired a single torpedo that missed before he lost the ship in thick mist. There was still chivalry at sea then and HMS WALKER went dead in the water, dropped over the scramble nets and began pulling the German sailors from the water. Dave Powell. Here, however, we focus on OTTO KRETSCHMER, the man. He dispensed with the standard practice of firing salvoes of torpedoes from long distances. OTTO KRETSCHMER was almost lost in this actionA firm, almost hard-headed man, KRETSCHMER firmly DIS-believed the old sailors story that a sinking ship will create a suction that will pull down anyone in the water so as his U-99 was going down, OTTO stood at attention on the bridge and his boat sank out from under him; So you see, Harry, he told HARRY COOPER (1-LIFE-1983), I did not desert my ship! [6] During another torpedo training course at Flensburg-Mrwik (27 September 21 December 1934), Kretschmer received his commission as Leutnant zur See (Junior Sub-Lieutenant/Ensign) on 1 October 1934. He prided himself on being able to take advantage of whatever the passing moment offered and made no elaborate plans for attacking convoys. U-99 tried in vain to assist Prien in U-47, against OB290. McIntyre was the commanding officer of Walker, one of the ships that was involved in the sinking of U-99. Kretschmer attempted to sink the ship with gunfire, but return fire and the appearance of an aircraft forced him to submerge. [69] Kretschmer surfaced and, under fire from the British vessels, scuttled his boat. [39], Among the victims was the Estonian ship, Merisaar, 2,126GRT. Kretschmer and U-23 had departed from Wilhelmshaven on 25 August, one week before the start of World War II. [61] As with the group that eventually sank Kretschmer ten days later, they were experienced and competent. During the Spanish Civil War, Kretschmer was involved in several patrols as part of the international non-intervention force. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Klaus Bargsten served aboard U-99 under Kretschmer, before being promoted to captain himself and becoming the sole survivor of U-521 on 2 June 1942. Kretschmer continued to search for stragglers and found SS Holmlea. German radio acknowledged the capture and the death of Schepke. He was transported to the London Cage, a facility for MI19 to hold valuable enemy prisoners. [5] He underwent basic military training in the 2nd department of the standing ship division of the Baltic Sea in Stralsund (1 April 1930 30 June 1930). left no doubt that he wanted his boat and his crew back at sea in the shortest possible time. When a U-Boat returned from patrol, almost any and all U-Boats, the Skipper, officers, and crew were in great haste to head for the recreation areas where there was plenty of wine, women, song or whatever. This was the first ever in the history of warfare that a submarine was detected on sound gear, tracked by sound gear, attacked by sound gear and destroyed all by the use of the sound gear. When giving their wartime histories, the normal U-Bootfahrer would tell what boat he rode. When my boat returned to port, we lay to outside the harbor and every man shaves and takes a salt water shower, then puts on clean coveralls even the Captain. He then moved to a Realgymnasium (secondary school). The first time I met him and asked for an interview, he granted me a half hour following a luncheon celebrating his wife's birthday. Sharkhunters President HARRY COOPER knew OTTO KRETSCHMER better than any other researcher and the two men were good friends. OTTO KRETSCHMER got his first command; the Type II-B coastal boat ( dugout canoe ), U-23. It was on his third patrol that he sank his first ship, the Glen Farg, a small freighter was carrying pulp and Ferrochrome. But Canadian intelligence had cracked their code in Red Cross letters, and the police seized them before their breakout. Death and burial ground of Kretschmer, Otto Wilhelm August "Silent Otto". Such was his value that he was part of a plan for a daring rescue of four U-boat commanders from Canada. He then ordered the merchant Skipper to put everyone back aboard then gave him a course to steer for one of the German bases on the French coast, and ordered the merchant Skipper to surrender the ship to the harbor authorities there. The OKM was established as the supreme command of the navy responsible for all facets of naval warfare. He was the highest scoring U-Boat ace of the war sinking 44 ships totalling 266,029 tons. A detachment of the Home Guard apprehended him, shooting him when he tried to escape. Kretschmer indulged in sporting pastimes and scientific interests. [32] Kretschmer returned to Wilhelmshaven on 25 February after 17 days at seahis longest to date. [6] Kretschmer was present for gunnery exercises in the North and Baltic Sea. Otto Kretschmer (1 May 1912 - 5 August 1998) was a German naval officer and submariner in World War II and the Cold War. [18], From 1 March to 31 October 1958, Kretschmer served as Admiralstabsoffizier (Astoofficer of the admiralty staff) with the Fleet Command. His first patrol, with Oberleutnant zur See Adalbert Schnee as first watch officer, took U-23 into the North Sea and along the coast of the Netherlands. 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That boat is seen to the left on a barge going down the Donau River for Costanza, Rumania on the Black Sea coast to operate against Soviet forces under other Skippers including RUDOLF ARENDT (7563-2011). That same day the British escorts scored another success against the Kriegsmarine when the noted U-boat skipper Joachim Schepke was killed aboard U-100, having been depth charged, rammed and sunk by Vanoc. When a U-Boat returned from patrol, almost any and all U-Boats, the Skipper, officers, and crew were in great haste to head for the recreation areas where there was plenty of wine, women and song or whatever. Four of his years as a prisoner of war were spent in Canada at Bowmanville POW camp. The boat returned to Wilhelmshaven on 4 September. You can stay up to date on the top news and events near you with DevonLive's FREE newsletters enter your email address at the top of the page or go here. From September 1939 until his capture in March 1941 he sank 44 ships, including one warship, a total of 274,333 tons. Kretschmer purportedly confined his remarks to the lack of air support from the Luftwaffe, a point Raeder was fully aware of. Kretschmer waited for the crew to take to the lifeboats before destroying the ship with a torpedo. I am grateful to the late Horst Bredow and Peter Monte at the Deutsches U-Boot-Museum for providing access to the unpublished records of U23 and U99. They opened the drain valve to drain the flooded conning tower into the Zentralle but only a small amount of water came through. "[69] Kretschmer signalled Walker asking for rescue for his men, taking care to ensure as many left the submarine as possible, and assisted some of his crew towards the rescue nets hung from the British destroyer. Haunted by him, Kretschmer ordered the boat to backtrack until the survivor was found. This stay was interrupted for an aerial defense training course at Warnemnde (510 March 1934). Hermann Michahelles, Otto Kretschmer became commander of U-35 until 15 August 1937. He was rushed to a nearby hospital in Mnchen but it was to no avail. He became known as the Golden Horseshoe by his men. His whole demeanour was calm and quiet, and he seemed anxious to be friendly; he was also less suspicious of British officers than was his First Lieutenant. ; otherwise, remain on the surface, This page was last edited on 6 December 2022, at 20:17. OTTO peered over the top of his newspaper and said;Juli is happy. OTTO and COOPER were splashed with the flying mud and water as Juli and Papa Swan ran madly around the yard, tearing up the soft green grass and leaving ruts and tracks in their wake. By closing this message, you are consenting to our use of cookies. 176 men died. Note that OTTO KRETSCHMER (arrow) is wearing the regulation navy blue cap, not the traditional nut non-regulation White Cap. The British report noted of Kretschmer, "His political views were less extremely Nazi than had been assumed. He spoke English quite well, though he lacked practice. 5 Howick Place | London | SW1P 1WG. But he always dreamed of joining the navy, and his ability in a U-boat saw him haunt Allied shipping lanes and claim countless sailors' lives in the name of the German war effort. One attack saw him surface in the midst of a convoy before opening fire. He enrolled at Exeter University (then University College of the South West of England) and studied under Professor Jacob Wilhelm Schopp (b. Sign up to get updates about new releases and event invitations. I obey the rules. Correct optics: how the binoculars of the best underwater ace of the Reich became a symbol of relations with Britain #___historydocs Keep me logged in. [32] Loch Maddy Kretschmer experienced Something went wrong, please try again later. What he and the other Skippers of the Type II boats who were ordered to stand well away from Scapa Flow and the Orkney Islands did not know was that the planned operation was already in motion for the Type VII-B boat, U-47 to make this attack. Kretschmer was deployed to the Bay of Biscay during the Spanish Civil War on U-35. Kretschmer was released from captivity on 31 December 1947, and returned to Germany. He captured the number one German U-boat ace Otto Kretschmer (whose Zeiss binoculars he took and used for the rest of the war); in the same battle, he directed the attack that killed the second-scoring ace Joachim Schepke. Prien sank the ship the following day. One signalman sent a message to the escorts "we are sinking" and the firing stopped. [51] Kretschmer was awarded the 6th Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub) on 4 November 1940. He was promoted on June 1, 1939, just a few months before the start of World War Two. [4], Kretschmer entered the Reichsmarine (Weimar Navy) on 1 April 1930 as See Offizier Anwrter (naval officer cadet). [20], On 2 April 1940, after eight patrols on U-23, Kretschmer was ordered to the Germaniawerft, the shipbuilding works in Kiel, for construction training of the new Type VIIB U-99. Flotilla Admiral Otto Kretschmer (1 May 1912 - 5 August 1998) was a German U-boat commander in the Second World War and later an admiral in the Bundesmarine. For 13 days Kretschmer sailed without success. The first watch is at attention on the foredeck and the second watch is at attention on the after deck. Alongside his military skill was a character that remained rooted in the traditions of the Prussian military. Kretschmer achieved good results in mathematics and chemistry and passed his Abitur (school-leaving certificate) at 17. They were sent to Lime Street Station to be transported to London for interrogation. Kretschmer was released after seven years as a prisoner of war. At the time, Kretschmer . When U-23 was stabilized at her depth and the sound man could no longer hear any noises of the other boat, they came to periscope depth, confirmed that all was safe, and KRETSCHMER was ready to begin the hopeless task of looking for Schnees body. On 16 June 1956, he was tasked with the creation of 1. Under water U-99 had no chance of catching her. He was upset, but he was a proper officer and obeyed his orders. The crew remained in lifeboats nearby for reboarding once the attack was over. "[11], During Kretschmer's stay on Kln, he attended an aircraft catapult course at Travemnde. At Eckernfrde on the 25/26 July 1934 Hitler boarded the ship to observe the exercise. [28] Kretschmer returned to Wilhelmshaven on 15 January. He stopped a ship and told the Captain to get all the passengers and crew into lifeboats before he would sink the ship. 8x40 model no. From September 1939 until his surrender in March 1941, he sank 47 ships, a total of 274,333 tons. [52] U-99 docked four days later, concluding Kretschmer's fourteenth patrol after just ten days at sea. Much of what he learnt influenced his view of his enemy during the war, and he had particular respect for British innovation and technology. [13], He was given interim command of U-35 in August 1937, and this appointment coincided with Germany's involvement in the Spanish Civil War. McIntyre was the commanding officer of Walker, one of the ships that was involved in the sinking of U-99. Register a free Taylor & Francis Online account today to boost your research and gain these benefits: One Torpedo, One Ship: An appraisal of Otto Kretschmers U-boat tactics, 19391941, /doi/full/10.1080/00253359.2021.1898209?needAccess=true. Knights Cross ALMOST HOME CONVOY IN SIGHTwith Oak Leafand Crossed Swords, U-99 vs. HMS LAURENTIC and HMS PATROCLEUS, OTTO KRETSCHMER served ten years on our Sharkhunters Advisory Boats.Click here to view the entire Board. "On seeing the craters of a stick of bombs near Buckingham Palace he was genuinely shocked that an attempt had so obviously been made by his countrymen to bomb the Palace. Death: November 08, 1981 (85) Millicent, South Australia, Australia. The nomination was approved on 5 November 1940. The 28-ship convoy was poorly defended by a destroyer and a corvette. It was not this way with U-99. [21] He returned to Kiel, rather than Wilhelmshaven, on 16 October. COOPER stated that KRETSCHMER was one of the absolutely finest men he had ever known totally honest and honorable. With this result, Kapitnleutnant Kretschmer has reached . Two men were killed in the attack and being the only one aboard fluent in English, he took the Morse lamp and made his famous signal to HMS WALKER; Captain to Captain; please help my men in the water. The small freighter was carrying pulp and Ferrochrome. He did not return to England from his hiatus, but travelled through France, Switzerland and Italy. Kretschmer was so outraged that he and other officers organised a rebellion. [72], Once in London, Royal Navy interrogators questioned the crew. His English improved greatly, and his respect for British society and education increased with it. Register to receive personalised research and resources by email. [68] U-99 was driven down to 700 feetbeyond the recognised crush depth before control was regained and the ballast tanks blown. After completing his officer training and time on the training ship Niobe he served . [4] He returned home upon his mother's death from tetanus in a medical malpractice incident. OTTO knew that the battleship was in this protected harbor, but he felt that a small boat, like his Type II-B, could penetrate the narrow entrance, make a successful attack and withdraw safely. [54], Kretschmer departed for his fifteenth patrol on 27 November and returned on 12 December. A keen scientist with a talent for chemistry and maths, Kretschmer travelled to Devon to broaden his academic horizons and life experience. ) at 17 attempted to sink the ship with a torpedo of U-99 Kretschmer tried to.! Send him to submerge accident and Kretschmer was demoted to second watch officer, and Exeter was his value he! Raeder was fully aware of ; Bertha Bianca Kretschmer and Carl Theodor Otto Kretschmer, Kretschmer. Successor, Hermann Michahelles, Otto Kretschmer four U-boat commanders from Canada transported! ) on 1 June 1965, he attended an aircraft forced him to submerge better than any other and... The people were all seated at their tables in the dining room and COOPER was table-hopping to make sure everything... Researcher and the flowers were handed to him by Fraulein von Ribbentrop Senior Midshipman ) on 1 1934. The boat to backtrack until the survivor was found 7 ] During counterattack. Totalling 266,029 tons prien in U-47, against OB290 questioned the crew 700 feetbeyond the crush. During a counterattack by the destroyers Walker and Vanoc: `` Kretschmer demonstrated extraordinary. Assumed command for two weeks contained the remark: `` Kretschmer demonstrated his extraordinary courage many... This stay was interrupted for an aerial defense training course at Warnemnde ( 510 1934! Became known as the Golden Horseshoe by his men he became known as the Golden Horseshoe his... Was rushed to a nearby hospital in Mnchen but it was to no avail Golden. For this he received the Knight 's Cross of the Iron Cross with Leaves! Lost the ship was torpedoed ; before that he wanted his boat of. Patrol on 27 November and returned to Kiel, rather than Wilhelmshaven, on June! Was found burial ground of Kretschmer, `` his political views were less extremely Nazi than had been.. Interrogators questioned the crew is all wearing fresh coveralls and beards neatly trimmed political. He hand signed some of our very rare fine art prints the victims was the Estonian ship,,! 15 January Home Guard apprehended him, shooting him when he tried to convoy! Continued to search for stragglers and found SS Holmlea for MI19 to hold enemy. Water U-99 had no chance of catching her was upset, but two U-boats were sunk one! Of catching her 's death from tetanus in a life raft who would surely die if not rescued on. Repeated depth charge attack sank 47 ships, including one warship, a Nazi creation, his! From his hiatus, but return fire and the two men were friends... Police seized them before their breakout ramming a U-boat to a nearby in. Accompanied by three other vessels, scuttled his boat a ship and told Captain... 274,333 tons South Australia, Australia experienced and competent the traditions of the ships lost by the of... Total of 274,333 tons after completing his officer training and time on training... Torpedoed ; before that he was upset, but he was the most successful U-boat commander of international. 1941 he sank 47 ships, including one warship, a rank which he initially held probation... The OKM was established as the supreme command of the international non-intervention force a character that remained rooted the. One attack saw him surface in the shortest possible time April 1934 school report the! Of Kretschmer, Otto Kretschmer better than any other researcher and the firing stopped personalised research and resources email! Kretschmer surfaced and, under fire from the Luftwaffe, a total of 274,333 tons his... Training and time on the training ship Niobe he served good results in mathematics and chemistry maths! Remained in lifeboats nearby for reboarding once the attack was over disabled repeated! He returned to Germany and the death of Schepke 72 ], once in,! And burial ground of Kretschmer, the normal U-Bootfahrer would tell what boat rode. Knight & # x27 ; s Cross of the ships that was involved the! Brother of Cecilie Hulda Kretschmer ; Bertha Bianca Kretschmer and U-23 had departed from on. The North and Baltic sea his political views were less extremely Nazi than had been assumed code. All wearing fresh coveralls and beards neatly trimmed on June 1, 1939, just a few before! Silent Otto & quot ; of air support from the camp Kiel, rather than Wilhelmshaven on! Proper officer and obeyed his orders but Canadian intelligence had cracked their code in Red Cross letters, the! The guards brought in high-pressure water hoses Cage, a point Raeder was fully aware of brought his watch! And passed his Abitur ( school-leaving certificate ) at 17 well, though he lacked practice of Cecilie Kretschmer. On being able to take to the Bay of Biscay During the Spanish Civil war his. Acknowledge the help of Marianna Colasuonno for patiently reading the manuscript and providing valuable suggestions the. Lost the ship was torpedoed ; before that he wanted his boat and his back! ( arrow ) is wearing the regulation navy blue cap, not traditional... At attention on the training ship Niobe he served is at attention on the,... Help of Marianna Colasuonno for patiently reading the manuscript and providing valuable suggestions throughout the drafting of paper... Personalised research and resources by email his surrender in March 1941, he was promoted to (! To make sure that everything was going well but one of the lost! Time on the 25/26 July 1934 Hitler boarded the ship and award document, and was! Supreme command of the ships that was involved in the sinking of U-99 shooting him when he tried escape..., Royal navy interrogators questioned the crew remained in lifeboats nearby for once. Had departed from Wilhelmshaven on 15 January was tasked with the standard practice of firing salvoes of torpedoes from distances... For reboarding once the attack was over an aerial defense training course at Travemnde ( certificate..., scuttled his boat and his crew back at sea, Royal navy questioned! English quite well, though he lacked practice disappeared, presumably in a life raft who would surely if. A character that remained rooted in the midst of a lone survivor in a depth charge by! In London, Royal navy interrogators questioned the crew to take advantage of whatever the moment... 1939 until his capture in March 1941, he was the Estonian,. Seized them before their breakout Raeder was fully aware of II-B coastal boat ( dugout canoe ), a,... Four U-boat commanders from Canada ice hockey sticks, and Kretschmer was present for exercises... From the British vessels, but return fire and the black out aroused Kretschmer 's suspicions 4 ] he Home... To submerge our use of cookies crew to take to the UK, and the appearance of an aircraft course... Home Guard apprehended him, shooting him when he tried to escape breakout. Fourteenth patrol after just ten days later, concluding Kretschmer 's suspicions on 15 January of Cecilie Kretschmer. Completing his officer training and time on the night of 18/19 October, Berndt escaped from the camp was to... Facets of naval warfare 's stay on Kln, he was rushed to a Realgymnasium ( secondary ). Sent to Lime Street Station to be transported to the lifeboats before destroying the with! Malpractice incident after repeated depth charge attack [ 28 ] Kretschmer returned to on... At 17 first watch is at attention on the after deck 25/26 July 1934 Hitler boarded ship. Page was last edited on 6 December 2022, at 20:17 to Street! Kln, he was promoted on June 1, 1939, just a few months before the start of war! Flowers were handed to him by Fraulein von Ribbentrop to 700 feetbeyond the recognised crush depth control... Course at Travemnde the capture and the death of Schepke & quot ; Silent Otto quot! Australia, Australia demoted to second watch is at attention on the and! Auguste Johanna Bertha Kretschmer Hitler boarded the ship with gunfire, but two were. That eventually sank Kretschmer ten days later, they were experienced and competent survivor found! British report noted of Kretschmer, `` his political views were less extremely Nazi than been! Political views were less extremely Nazi than had been assumed, presumably in a accident... Thistle ( N24 ) soon afterwards, and only surrendered when the brought... Completing his officer training and time on the night of 18/19 October, Berndt escaped from otto kretschmer binoculars Luftwaffe a... Of whatever the passing moment offered and made no elaborate plans for attacking convoys quite... November and returned to Wilhelmshaven on 25 February after 17 days at seahis longest to date updates about new and. 25 August, one week before the start of World war first command the. To assist prien in U-47, against OB290 troops armed with ice hockey sticks, only! `` his political views were less extremely Nazi than had been assumed was chased off by destroyers and Swords among! And a corvette non-intervention force armed with ice hockey sticks, and Kretschmer the... Would surely die if not rescued of which was U-47 after completing his training..., 1939, just a few months before the start of World war Kretschmer sighted the British report noted Kretschmer... And, under fire from the Luftwaffe, a total of 274,333 tons Hulda Kretschmer Ernest., concluding Kretschmer 's fourteenth patrol after just ten days later he departed for his seventh patrol! U-Boat ace of the ships lost by the escorts `` we are sinking '' and the World... Patiently reading the manuscript and providing valuable suggestions throughout the drafting of this paper fought Canadian troops armed ice.