| Herbert Schneider | |
|---|---|
| Born | 25 June 1915 Nürnberg |
| Died | 23 February 1943 (aged 27) Middle Atlantic |
| Allegiance | Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch | Reichsmarine Kriegsmarine |
| Years of service | 1934–1943 |
| Rank | Kapitänleutnant |
| Unit | AS/88 SSS Gorch Fock cruiser Emden U-123 |
| Commands held | U-522 |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Herbert Schneider (25 June 1915 in Nürnberg – 23 February 1943 in the Middle Atlantic) was a German U-boat commander in World War II and 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. He is credited with the sinking of seven ships for a total of 45,826 gross register tons (GRT) and further damaging two ships of 12,479 GRT.
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Herbert Schneider began his naval career with the Reichsmarine on 8 April 1934 as a member "Crew 1934" (the incoming class of 1934).[Note 1]. After officer's training, he transferred to the Luftwaffe and received air reconnaissance training in October 1936. In early 1939 (22 February 1939 – 30 April 1939), during the Spanish Civil War, he spent a few months in Spain making eight sorties with the Aufklärungsgruppe See 88 (AS/88—88th sea reconnaissance group) of the "Legion Condor". In October 1940 he returned to the Kriegsmarine. Over the next several months he received U-boat training and became the I. Wachoffizier (1st watch officer) on the U-123. After two patrols, he left to complete commander training, and it was then that he received the commission for the U-522. During his first patrol in the North Atlantic he sank four ships, totalling 20,077 tons and damaged another vessel. During his second patrol, he sunk three ships sunk and damaged another. The U-522 was sunk by depth charges from the British cutter HMS Totland on 23 February, 1943, which resulted in the loss of all hands.