Otto Eduard Weddigen German submariner during the First World War Date of Birth: 15.09.1882 Country: Germany

Biography of Otto Eduard Weddigen

Otto Eduard Weddigen was a German submarine commander during the First World War. He was one of the most famous German submariners, known for his attack on September 22, 1914, in which the U-9, under Weddigen's command, sunk three British cruisers: HMS Hogue, HMS Aboukir, and HMS Cressy.

Weddigen was born on September 15, 1882, in Herford, Germany. In 1901, he joined the Imperial German Navy. On August 1, 1914, Weddigen became the commander of one of the first German submarines, the U-9.

On September 22, 1914, while on patrol, U-9 encountered three light four-funnel British cruisers: HMS Hogue, HMS Aboukir, and HMS Cressy, from the 7th Cruiser Squadron. After torpedoing the first ship, the British believed it had hit a mine and stopped to evacuate the crew. Taking advantage of this, Weddigen continued his attack on the immobilized cruisers. 1,459 people died, while 300 were saved. Weddigen was awarded the Iron Cross, 2nd and 1st class, for his actions.

On October 15, 1914, U-9, under Weddigen's command, sunk the British cruiser HMS Hawke. For sinking a total of four cruisers, Weddigen received the Prussian Order of the Pour le Mérite, the Bavarian Order of Max Joseph, the Knight's Cross of the Saxon Order of St. Henry, and the Knight's Cross of the Württemberg Order of Military Merit.

On March 18, 1915, while commanding U-29, Weddigen led an attack on a large group of British ships. In poor visibility, he failed to notice the battleship HMS Dreadnought approaching from the starboard side. U-29 was hit and sank with the entire crew.

The first submarine unit of the German Navy, later known as the 1st Flotilla, was initially named the Weddigen Flotilla in honor of Otto Eduard Weddigen.