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Otto KretschmerGerman submarine officer during World War II
Date of Birth: 11.05.1912
Country:  Germany |
Content:
- Biography of Otto Kretschmer
- Early Life and Career
- Commanding U-99
- Capture and Imprisonment
- Post-War Career and Later Life
Biography of Otto Kretschmer
Otto Kretschmer was a German submarine officer during World War II and the most successful U-boat commander of the war. He was born on May 1, 1912, in Heidau, Germany.
Early Life and Career
Kretschmer completed his schooling in Exeter, England and joined the navy as a cadet on October 9, 1930. He obtained the rank of lieutenant on October 1, 1934, and served on the training ship "Niobe" and the light cruiser "Emden."
In January 1936, Kretschmer transferred to the submarine fleet and served as a watch officer on U-35. Following the death of the commander in an automobile accident, Kretschmer took command of U-35 on July 31, 1937, and conducted a voyage to the coast of Spain in support of Franco's forces. He remained as watch officer until September 30, 1937, when he was appointed commander of U-23.
Commanding U-99
On April 18, 1940, Kretschmer was assigned as the commander of U-99. In January 1940, his submarine torpedoes the tanker "Denmark" (10,517 tons), and a month later, he sank the destroyer "Daring." On November 4, 1940, U-99, under Kretschmer's command, successfully sunk the British auxiliary cruisers "Patroclus" (11,314 tons), "Laurentic" (18,724 tons), and "Forfar" (16,402 tons). For his achievements, Kretschmer was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves.
Capture and Imprisonment
On March 17, 1941, U-99 was detected by the British destroyer "Walker" and heavily depth-charged. When the submarine surfaced, it was subjected to gunfire and Kretschmer ordered its scuttling. The crew was taken as prisoners of war, and Kretschmer spent the remainder of the war in the Bowmanville POW camp.
Post-War Career and Later Life
After the war, Kretschmer entered the Bundesmarine (West German Navy) in 1955. From 1958, he served as the commander of the Amphibious Forces of the Federal Republic of Germany. He retired with the rank of Flotilla Admiral in 1970.
Otto Kretschmer passed away on August 5, 1998, in a Bavarian hospital following a car accident.
