Wolfgang Lüth
| Wolfgang Lüth | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
15 October 1913 Riga, Latvia |
| Died | 14 May 1945 (aged 31) Flensburg-Mürwik, Germany |
| Buried at | Cemetery Adelby in Flensburg |
| Allegiance |
 Nazi Germany
|
| Service/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 held |
U-13, U-9, U-138, U-43, U-181 22nd U-boat Flotilla Naval Academy Mürwik |
| Battles/wars | |
| 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 the second most successful German U-boat ace of World War II. His career record of 46 merchant ships plus the French submarine Doris sunk during 15 war patrols, with a total displacement of 225,204 gross register tons (GRT), was second only to that of Korvettenkapitän (Lieutenant Commander) Otto Kretschmer, whose 47 sinkings totaled 273.043 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 on the night of 13/14 May 1945. On 16 May 1945, Lüth was given the last state funeral in the Third Reich.
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