Hans-Hartwig Trojer

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Hans-Hartwig Trojer (January 22, 1916 - September 27, 1943) was a German U-Boat commander in World War II.

[edit] Navel career

He joined the Kriegsmarine in April 1936 and was a member of the Olympia crew. Because he had been born in Transylvania, he was nicknamed Count Dracula by his comrades. In 1938 he joined the U-boat service, and spent his first two years as watch officer on the U34 and U67.

After completing his commander training, Trojer was promoted to Oberleutnant zur see and took command of the U3. In March 1942 he was assigned to command the new Type VIIc boat U221. He sank six ships for a total of 29,682 GRT on his first patrol and he and his crew earned a mention in the Wehrmachtsbericht for this. On his third patrol he was informed by a radio message that he had received the Knights cross. On April 1, 1943 he received a promotion to Kapitänleutnant.

Hans-Hartwig Trojer was killed when U221 was sunk with all hands by a British Halifax bomber south of Ireland on September 27, 1943.