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Verner HartmannGerman submariner from World War II
Date of Birth: 11.12.1902
Country:  Germany |
Content:
Biography of Werner Hartmann
Werner Hartmann was a German submarine officer during World War II and a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Born in 1911, he joined the Prussian Royal Cadet Corps at the age of twelve, as the son of a pastor. After serving as a company commander at the end of World War I, he joined the Reichsmarine in 1921.
In 1927, Hartmann became a watch officer on the destroyer T-157, and from October 1929, he served as an instructor at the Naval Academy in Mürwik. In 1933, he returned to destroyers, serving on Seeadler and Albatros in 1935. In October 1935, he transferred to the submarine forces and became the commander of U-26. In this position, he participated in the Spanish Civil War. From 1938, he served as the fleet commander of "Hundius". In September, he became the captain of U-37, but remained the chief of the 2nd U-boat flotilla. From December 1941, he served as the head of the 27th U-boat flotilla.
With U-198, Hartmann fought in the Indian Ocean until 1944 when he became the commander of submarines in the Mediterranean Sea. After the Allied invasion of Italy, he became the chief of staff of the Volkssturm in West Prussia. In May 1945, he was captured as a prisoner of war. After the war, Hartmann worked in various organizations of the Evangelical Church. On July 10, 1956, he was called back to the Bundesmarine, where he served until his retirement in 1962.
Military Ranks
April 1, 1923: Seaman Apprentice (Fähnrich zur See)
April 4, 1925: Oberfähnrich zur See
October 1, 1925: Lieutenant at Sea (Leutnant zur See)
July 1, 1927: Oberleutnant zur See
October 1, 1933: Captain Lieutenant (Kapitänleutnant)
July 1, 1937: Corvette Captain (Korvettenkapitän)
April 1, 1941: Frigate Captain (Fregattenkapitän)
April 1, 1943: Captain at Sea (Kapitän zur See)
November 15, 1965: Flotilla Admiral (Flottillenadmiral)
December 21, 1966: Rear Admiral (Konteradmiral)
Awards
December 7, 1939: U-boat War Badge (U-Boot-Kriegsabzeichen)
November 8, 1939: Iron Cross, 2nd and 1st Class (Eisernes Kreuz)
April 21, 1940: Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes)
April 26, 1943: Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross (Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz)
