Wolfgang Lüth
Wolfgang Lüth | |
|---|---|
Lüth during World War II | |
| Born | 15 October 1913 Riga, Russian Empire (now Latvia) |
| Died | 14 May 1945 (aged 31) Flensburg-Mürwik, Nazi Germany |
| Buried | Cemetery Adelby in Flensburg |
| Allegiance | Nazi Germany |
| Branch | Kriegsmarine |
| Years of service | 1933–45 |
| Rank | Kapitän zur See |
| Unit | 1st U-boat Flotilla 6th U-boat Flotilla 12th U-boat Flotilla 22nd U-boat Flotilla |
| Commands | U-13, U-9, U-138, U-43, U-181 22nd U-boat Flotilla Naval Academy Mürwik |
| Battles / wars | Spanish Civil War World War II |
| Awards | Spanish Cross Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds Croce di Guerra (Italy) |
Wolfgang Lüth (15 October 1913 – 14 May 1945) was a German U-boat captain of World War II who was credited with the sinking of 46 merchant ships plus the French submarine Doris sunk during 15 war patrols, for a total tonnage of 225,204 gross register tons (GRT).
Lüth joined the Reichsmarine in 1933. After a period of training on surface vessels, he transferred to the U-boat service in 1936. In December 1939 he received command of U-9, which he took on six war-patrols. In June 1940 he took command of U-138 for two patrols. In October 1940 he transferred again, this time to the ocean-going submarine U-43 for five war-patrols. After two patrols on U-181, the second being his longest of the war, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds. He was the first of two U-boat commanders to be so honored during World War II, the other recipient being Albrecht Brandi.
Lüth's last service position was commander of the Naval Academy Mürwik near Flensburg. He was accidentally shot and killed by a German sentry after the end of the war on the night of 13/14 May 1945. On 16 May 1945, Lüth was given a state funeral by the Flensburg Government.