Albrecht Brandi

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Albrecht Brandi (1914-1966) was a German U-boat commander. Together with Wolfgang Lüth he was the only Kriegsmarine sailor who was awarded with the Knight's cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds. Brandi was well known as one of the bravest and most aggressive German sailors ever.

During his naval career Brandi destroyed 14 ships, including one light cruiser, one minelayer and 3 destroyers. He also damaged a battleship (HMS Rodney) and two aircraft carriers (HMS Illustrious and HMS Formidable). With these victories Brandi became the U-boat commander with the most destroyed warships on his name. However, he's not the U-boat commander with the most ships sunk, that honor going to Otto Kretschmer with 47 victories. Brandi is ranked number 24 on the top scoring list of Germany's U-boat commanders.

[edit] Early years

Brandi joined the German Kriegsmarine in 1935 and had his study as a naval officer on board on the German light cruiser Karlsruhe. After his graduation he became commander of the minesweeper M-1. During the first year of World War 2, Brandi destroyed various minefield in the Nordic sea.

In April 1941 Brandi started his U-boat education at the U-boat training camp Neaustadt Holstein. From May 1941 to April 1942, Brandi was the rearman during 3 escorts of the U-552, which was commanded by famous commander Erich Topp. In April 1942 Brandi was given the command of his own submarine: the U-617.

[edit] War in the Mediterranean Sea

During his first patrol, Brandi destroyed four merchant ships. On his second patrol, he sank one destroyer and damaged one tanker. In November 1942, Brandi was ordered to make a patrol to a new area; the Mediterranean Sea. To get to this sea Brandi had to make a trip toward the heavily guarded straits of Gibraltar. Brandi decided to make the trip by night on the surface, with his engines shut down and his boat driving down the stream. During this extremely dangerous trip, Brandi was discovered by a Short Sunderland bomber which dropped two depth charges. The bombs nearly missed the boat and Brandi succeeded in getting away. Brandi was the only German sailor who crossed the Gibraltar Strait and he was awarded with the Knight's Cross.

During the year 1943, Brandi made various patrols across the Mediterranean Sea. During these patrols Brandi attacked British war ships who attacked the German supply ships for the North African war.

In the Mediterranean Sea it was extremely difficult for a U-boat commander to attack enemy ships. This is the reason why Brandi's victories are so special. Another reason Brandi was highly admired is the fact that all of his victims were heavily armed or guarded warships.

On February 1943 Brandi destroyed a British minelayer a few miles from the Maltese coast. The destruction of this ship saved a convoy of fifty German ships for the invasion of Malta. Brandi was awarded with Oak leaves to his Knights Cross for this victory.

Later, on April 1943, Brandi sank the light cruiser Mogambo, 40 miles outside of Gibraltar. Brandi was awarded the Swords with his Oakleaves and Knight's Cross.

In June 1943 Brandi's U-617 was attacked near the Moroccan coast by a Short Sunderland bomber. One bomb hit the U-617 and the ship sank; shortly after that the plane was shot down by anti- aircraft guns.

Brandi and his crew abandoned their submarine with a rubber boat and the U-617 sank a few minutes later.

[edit] Brandi as a leader

After the destruction of his U-617 Brandi became commander of all U-boats in the Eastern Baltic Sea. During this period many ships were destroyed in the Baltic Sea and Brandi was awarded with diamonds by his knights cross, for his leadership of the U-boat fleet.

In the last year of the war Brandi became chief commander of the mini submarine fleet.

After the war Brandi started a career as an architect.

Holders of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds during World War II