Albrecht Achilles (Korvettenkapitän)
| Albrecht Achilles | |
|---|---|
Korvettenkapitän Albrecht Achilles after a patrol
|
|
| Born |
25 January 1914 Karlsruhe |
| Died | 27 September 1943 (aged 29) northeast of Bahia, Brazil 12°30′S 35°35′W / 12.500°S 35.583°W |
| Allegiance |
 Nazi Germany
|
| Service/branch |
 Kriegsmarine
|
| Years of service | 1934–43 |
| Rank | Korvettenkapitän (posthumous) |
| Unit |
SSS Gorch Fock Schleswig-Holstein Gneisenau U-66 |
| Commands held | U-161 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards |
Iron Cross 1st Class U-boat War Badge Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Albrecht Achilles (25 January 1914 – 27 September 1943) was a German U-boat commander in World War II and commander of U-161. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.
Albrecht Achilles began his naval career with the Reichsmarine on 8 April 1934 as a member "Crew 34" (the incoming class of 1934).. He transferred to the U-boat service in April 1940. For one year, he served as a commander trainee as first and second watch officer on board various U-boats, including three patrols on U-66 under the command of Robert-Richard Zapp, before taking over command of U-161 from Kapitänleutnant Hans Witt.
On his third war patrol (28 April – 7 August 1942), Achilles sank three ships in the Caribbean Sea totaling 14,201 GRT and further torpedoed one ship of 3,305 GRT in the port of Santa Lucia.
Albrecht Achilles and his entire crew were killed in action when U-161 was sunk northeast of Bahia on 27 September 1943 by depth charges from a U.S. Navy Martin PBM Mariner (VP-74/P-2).
On 16 November 1940 he married Chirstel Busz. The marriage produced two children, daughter Christiane born 1941 and a posthumous son Konrad born 1944.
As commander of U-161, Achilles is credited with the sinking of 12 merchant ships totalling 60,107 gross register tons (GRT), damaging another ship of 3,305 GRT that it had to be considered a total loss and damaging five further ships of 35,672 GRT. He also sank the United States Lighthouse Service ship Acacia of 1,130 long tons (1,150 tonnes) and damaged the British light cruiser HMS Phoebe (43) 5,450 long tons (5,540 t).
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