Werner Fürbringer
| Werner Fürbringer | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | "Fips" |
| Born |
2 October 1888 Braunschweig |
| Died |
8 February 1982 (aged 93) Braunschweig |
| Allegiance |
 German Empire (to 1918) Weimar Republic (to 1933).svg.png){kind=small} Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch |
 Kaiserliche Marine.svg.png){kind=small} Reichsmarine Kriegsmarine |
| Years of service | 1907–20, 1927–43 |
| Rank | Konteradmiral |
| Commands held | UB-110 |
| Battles/wars |
World War I World War II |
| Awards |
House Order of Hohenzollern Iron Cross, 1st Class |
Werner "Fips" Fürbringer (2 October 1888 – 8 February 1982) was a successful German U-boat commander in the Kaiserliche Marine during World War I, sinking 101 ships.[1] He was later promoted to the rank of Konteradmiral during the World War II.
Early years
Fürbringer was born Braunschweig and entered the Imperial German Navy as a Seekadett on April 3, 1907. Subsequently he attended the Basic-Training and was assigned on Board of the School-Ship SMS Charlotte. He also attended the Naval-School and the other Special-Briefings and was promoted to the rank of Fähnrich zur See (Officer candidate).
He then spent some time aboard the cruiser SMS Roon, sailing in the East Asia within the High Seas Fleet, before being transferred to the Heavy cruiser SMS Scharnhorst. During the time of his transfer, Fürbringer was promoted to the rank of Leutnant zur See on September 28, 1910.
Spending another two years in Asia, Fürbringer returned home in November 1912 and subsequently he was selected for the U-Boat training.
World War I
He was present on U-20, but left prior to the U-20 's sinking of RMS Lusitania in 1915. He exclusively commanded small, coastal U-boats, starting with UB-2 in February 1915. He went on to command six subsequent UB and UC-type boats, during which time he was awarded the Iron Cross, Second and First class. His last command was UB-110, which was depth-charged and rammed by HMS Garry on July 19, 1918. Twenty-one of the 34 crew were killed, and Fürbringer was captured. He spent the rest of the war as a British prisoner of war.[2]
Decorations
- Iron Cross (1914) 1st and 2nd Class
- Knight of the House Order of Hohenzollern with Swords (27 August 1916)
- U-boat War Badge (1918)
- The Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 with Swords
- War Merit Cross (1939) 1st and 2nd Class with Swords
- Wehrmacht Long Service Award
Publications
- Fips: Legendary U-Boat Commander
- German bio
References
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