Herbert Schultze
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| Herbert Schultze | |
|---|---|
| July 24, 1909 – June 3, 1987 | |
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| Nickname | Vaddi (Daddy) |
| Place of birth | Kiel |
| Place of death | London |
| Allegiance | Germany |
| Years of service | 1930-1945 — 1956-1968 |
| Rank | Korvettenkapitän |
| Unit | U-Bootschulflottille |
| Commands | U-2,1938-01-31 – 1939-03-16 (Training) U-48, 1939-04-22 – 1940-05-20 (5 patrols) |
| Battles/wars | Second Battle of the Atlantic |
| Awards | Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub |
| Other work | Served in the Bundesmarine |
Herbert Schultze (July 24, 1909 – June 3, 1987), was a German u-boat commander of the Kriegsmarine during World War II. He commanded U-48 for 8 patrols during the early part of the war, sinking a total of 169.709 GRT and earning him an 8th place on the Aces of the Deep list. Due to several incidents of openly broadcasting his sinkings to alert the allies of the plight of the crews, he became quite a celebrity even on the allied side.
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[edit] Biography
Schultze was born in Kiel and joined the Reichsmarine in April 1930. On 9 October 1930 he became a Seekadett. Serving aboard the cruisers Leipzig and Karlsruhe with other future u-boat aces, including Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock.
In May 1937, with a rank of Oberleutnant zur See, Schultze transferred to the U-boat force, taking command of the Type IIA U-boat U-2 on 31 January 1938. The U-2 was assigned to the U-Bootschulflottille (U-boat school flotilla), and Schultze spent the next year and a half training with the sub.
On 22 April 1939 Schultze commissioned U-48, a Type VIIB U-boat. U-48 was later to become the most successful submarine of the war. U-48 was assigned to 7. Unterseebootsflottille, and spent the next four months in training. On 1 June 1939 Schultze was promoted to Kapitänleutnant.
[edit] World War II
Soon after the war started on 1 September 1939 Schultze took U-48 out on its first patrol. On 11 September 1939 he sunk the British freighter Firby. After the sinking he sent the plain language radio message "cq - cq- cq - transmit to Mr. Churchill. I have sunk the British steamer "Firby". Posit 59.40 North and 13.50 West. Save the crew, if you please. German submarine." This message, addressed to the First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill directly, made him famous, both in Germany and Great Britain. He sank two more ships for a total of 14,777 GRT during the first patrol.
After returning to base Schultze made an interview with an American reporter on 29 September 1939. During the interview it was established that Schultze had sunk another British ship, the Royal Sceptre and similarily as the Firby had arranged for the crew to be rescued by another allied ship. The interview was recorded and broadcast both in the United States and Great Britain.
Now somewhat of a media celebrity, Schultze left for four more successfull patrols. On 1 March 1940 he was awarded the Knight's Cross for his successes. On 20 May 1940 Schultze handed command of the U-48 over to Hans Rudolf Rösing due to illness stemming from a stomach and kidney disorder. He spent five months in hospital recuperating. From October 1940 he took up duties as Second in Command of the 7. Unterseebootsflottille, now based in St Nazaire, France.
On 17 December 1940 Schultze resumed command of the U-48, relieving Heinrich Bleichrodt. He led U-48 on three more patrols, and continued sinking enemy shipping at a great rate. Thus he was awarded the Oak Leaves to his Knight's Cross on 12 June 1941.
On 27 July 1941 Schultze left the U-48 to take command of 3. Unterseebootsflottille operating from La Rochelle. He served in this capacity until March 1941, when he was assigned to the staff of Marinegruppe Nord as Admiral Staff Officer for U-boats. In December 1942 he was assigned to Admiral Karl Dönitz staff. On 1 April 1943 he was promoted to Korvettenkapitän. In March 1944 he was assigned as commander of Department II, Marineschule Mürwick, where he served to the end of the war.
[edit] After the war
In 1956 Schultze joined the Bundesmarine of West Germany and served in a string of staff positions, including another two years at Marineschule Mürwick. He retired in September 1968. Schultze died in June 1987 in London, and amongst others former U-boat ace Otto Kretschmer spoke at his funeral saying "Deeply respected by friend and foe, revered by his crew, Herbert Schultze was an exemplary naval officer in the best tradition."
[edit] Awards
- Eisernes Kreuz 2. and 1. Klasse
- Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub
- Ritterkreuz (1 Mar 1940)
- 15. Eichenlaub (12 Jun 1941)
[edit] Achievements
- 26 ships sunk for a total of 169.709 GRT
- 1 ship damaged for a total of 9.456 GRT
[edit] References
- Franz Kurowski (1995), Knight's Cross Holders of the U-Boat Service. Schiffer Military.
- Uboat.net. The Men – Herbert Schultze. Retrieved on 26 February 2007.
