| Werner Lott | |
|---|---|
| Born | 3 December 1907 Willenberg |
| Died | 2 May 1997 |
| Allegiance | Germany |
| Service/branch | Kriegsmarine |
| Years of service | 1926–1945 |
| Rank | Korvettenkapitän |
| Commands held | U-21, September 1936 – 31 March 1936 U-32, 15 April 1936 – 15 August 1936 U-35, 15 August 1937 – 29 November 1939 |
| Battles/wars | Battle of the Atlantic |
| Awards | Iron cross |
Werner Lott (3 December 1907 – 2 May 1997) was a German U-boat commander in World War II. He was taken prisoner on 29 November 1939 after his boat was scuttled in the North Sea at position after having been depth-charged by HMS Kingston, HMS Kashmir and HMS Icarus.
One of the more famous incidents involving Lott happened while a prisoner of war in the Tower of London. He complained about the accommodations, and asked to talk to the officer in charge. Instead, he was visited by Lord Louis Mountbatten, who allowed him and his second-in-command to dine at Scott's Restaurant on the condition they not try to escape. Lott kept his promise, and was returned to the Tower later that night. A few days later, he and the other officers were moved to the Grizedale P.O.W. camp. Later, the entire crew was moved to P.O.W. camps in Canada.
He was also responsible for saving the lives of 28 Greek sailors whose ship he torpedoed; his submarine U-35 rescued the sailors and landed them safely on a Kerry beach in what was one of only two such instances when a German submarine crew risked its own safety to protect the crew of a vessel they torpedoed and sank.[1]