Reinhold Saltzwedel

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.

Reinhold Saltzwedel
Reinhold Saltzwedel
Born23 November 1889
Rosenberg, Upper Silesia
Died2 December 1917(1917-12-02) (aged 28)
English Channel, off the Isle of Wight, England
Allegiance German Empire
Service/branch Imperial German Navy
Rank Oberleutnant zur See
Commands heldUB-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/warsU-boat Campaign (World War I)
AwardsPour le Mérite

Saltzwedel sank a total of 111 merchant vessels for 172,824 gross register tons (GRT). On 1 September 1936, his name was given to 2nd U-boat Flotilla of the Kriegsmarine in Wilhelmshaven to honour him.

Early life

Reinhold Saltzwedel was born on 23 November 1889 in Rosenberg, Upper Silesia.[1] His father was a parson.

World War I

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 joined the active units and 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, in which he died on 2 December after UB-81 ran into a mine.[1] 29 men lost their lives.

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References
  1. 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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