Reinhold Saltzwedel | |
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Reinhold Saltzwedel
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Born | 23 November 1889 Rosenberg, Upper Silesia |
Died | 2 December 1917 English Channel |
(aged 28)
Allegiance | German Empire |
Service/branch | Kaiserliche Marine |
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 |
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.
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.
Reinhold Saltzwedel was born on 23 November 1889 in Rosenberg, Upper Silesia. His father was a parson.
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. 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. 29 men lost their lives.