Volfgang Luth Submariner, awarded the Knight's Cross Date of Birth: 15.10.1913 Country: Germany

1. Biography of Wolfgang Lüth
2. Early Career
3. Awarded the Knight's Cross
4. Outstanding Achievements
5. Later Years
6. Tragic End

Biography of Wolfgang Lüth

Wolfgang Lüth was a German submarine commander during World War II, known for his exceptional achievements and awarded the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds. He was born on October 15, 1913, in Riga.

Early Career

In April 1933, Lüth joined the Kriegsmarine. On December 30, 1939, he was appointed as the commander of U-9, a submarine. Later, on January 27, 1940, he became the commander of U-138, and on October 21, 1940, he took command of U-43.

Awarded the Knight's Cross

On October 24, 1940, Lieutenant zur See Lüth was awarded the Knight's Cross for sinking 49,000 tons of enemy ships in a span of 27 days. His remarkable success continued, and on May 9, 1942, he was appointed as the commander of U-181.

Outstanding Achievements

By November 1943, Lüth had sunk 43 ships (totaling 225,712 tons) and one Allied submarine, making him the second most successful U-boat commander of World War II, second only to Otto Kretschmer. For his exceptional performance, Wolfgang Lüth became one of two submariners awarded the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds, the highest recognition for bravery and achievements.

Later Years

In January 1944, Lüth was appointed as the commander of the 22nd U-boat Training Flotilla in the Kriegsmarine. On August 1, 1944, he was promoted to Kapitän zur See and appointed as the chief of the Naval Academy in Mürwik, near Flensburg, which later became the government residence of Karl Dönitz.

Tragic End

Sadly, Wolfgang Lüth was shot by a German sentry on May 13, 1945, just five days after the end of the war and before the arrest of the Dönitz government. The sentry was acquitted as Lüth had given him the wrong password. He was buried with full military honors in Flensburg, marking the last ceremonial funeral in the history of the Third Reich.