Hans-Hartwig Trojer | |
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Born | 22 January 1912 Birthähn, Siebenbürgen |
Died | 27 September 1943 North Atlantic south of Ireland |
(aged 31)
Allegiance | Nazi Germany |
Service/branch | Kriegsmarine |
Years of service | 1936–1943 |
Rank | Kapitänleutnant |
Commands held | U-3 U-221 |
Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Hans-Hartwig Trojer (22 January 1916 – 27 September 1943) was a German U-Boat commander in World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.
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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 U-34 and U-67.
After completing his commander training, Trojer was promoted to Oberleutnant zur see and took command of the U-3. In March 1942 he was assigned to command the new Type VIIc boat U-221. 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 Wehrmachtbericht for this. On his third patrol he was informed by a radio message that he had received the Knights cross. On 1 April 1943 he received a promotion to Kapitänleutnant.
Hans-Hartwig Trojer was killed when U-221 was sunk with all hands by a British Halifax bomber south of Ireland on 27 September 1943.