Oberleutnant zur See Reinhold Saltzwedel (23 November 1889 – 2 December 1917) was a successful and highly decorated German U-boat commander in the Kaiserliche Marine during World War I. He sank a total of 111 merchant vessels for 172,824 gross register tons (GRT). On 1 September 1936, his name was given to the 2nd U-boat Flotilla of the Kriegsmarine in Wilhelmshaven to honour him.
Reinhold Saltzwedel | |
|---|---|
 Reinhold Saltzwedel | |
| Born | 23 November 1889 Rosenberg, Upper Silesia |
| Died | 2 December 1917 (aged 28) English Channel, off the Isle of Wight, England |
| Allegiance |  German Empire |
| Service/ |  Imperial German Navy |
| Rank |  Oberleutnant zur See |
| Commands held | UB-10, 13 January – 18 June 1916 UC-10, 14–26 June 1916 UC-11, 12–20 August 1916 UC-21, 15 September 1916 – 9 June 1917 UC-71, 10 June – 13 September 1917 UB-81, 18 September – 2 December 1917 |
| Battles/wars | U-boat Campaign (World War I) |
| Awards | Pour le Mérite |
Early life edit
Reinhold Saltzwedel was born on 23 November 1889 in Rosenberg, Upper Silesia.[1] His father was a parson.
World War I edit
Saltzwedel was a Leutnant zur See when World War I broke out and Adjutant on the SMS Kaiser. On 19 September 1914, he was promoted to Oberleutnant zur See.[1] In May 1915 he went to the U-boat school. Shortly afterwards, he served as commander of several U-boats. On 20 August 1917, he was awarded the Pour le Mérite for his achievements.
On 18 September 1917, he became the commanding officer of UB-81, aboard which he died on 2 December after UB-81 ran into a mine.[1] Twenty-nine men lost their lives.
References edit
- ^ a b c Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boat commanders: Oberleutnant zur See Reinhold Saltzwedel". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
External links edit
- Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boat commanders: Oberleutnant zur See Reinhold Saltzwedel". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
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