Wolfgang-Friederich Baron von Forstner, born 3 October 1916 at Karlsruhe, Class of 1937a. Training Aircraft Weapons School Bug September 1939 until March 1940. Observer 2./Küstenfliegergruppe 606 (2nd Coastal Flying Group 606) April 1940 until February 1942. U-Boat training March 1942 until September 1942. He served as I.W.O. on U-572 from September 1942 to March 1943. He went through the U-Boat Commander’s course March 1943 to May 1943 then U-Boat Commander’s Torpedo course in 1943. He was Commander of U-472 from 16 May 1943 until 4 March 1944 when he was captured and held as P.o.W. until 29 November 1947. He was promoted to Kapitänleutnant 1 April 1944 – normal procedure for prisoners to be advanced one rank while in P.o.W. camp.

EDITOR NOTE – The Geneva Convention specifically states that prisoners of war are to be advanced one grade in rank while in captivity.

Rudolf Friederich, born 15 June 1914 at Strehlen, Silesia, Class of 1935. Seconded to the Luftwaffe September 1939 until July 1941. Sent to U-Boat training August 1941 until March 1942 when he was assigned to U-558 as I.W.O. from March until June 1942. U-Boat Commander’s course and Baubelehrung KLA U-Boats North from July until August 1942. He was promoted to Kapitänleutnant on 1 September 1942. Commander of U-759 from 15 August 1942 until 26 July 1943 when he was killed in action near Jamaica when US Navy aircraft from VP-32 sank the boat with the loss of the entire crew.

Adolf Friederichs, born 4 March 1914 at Gottingen, Class of 1935. Seconded to the Luftwaffe with the 1/Küstenfliegergruppe 706 until December 1940 and he was then sent to U-Boat training January until June 1941. On his completion of the course, he was posted as II. W. O. on U-98 from June until August 1941 then he was posted to U-Boat Commander’s course from September to October 1941, then to Baubelehrung October 1941. On 21 October 1941, he was posted to command U-253 until he was killed in action 25 September 1942 west of Ireland. He was promoted to Kapitänleutnant 1 June 1942 when aircraft from Royal Air Force Squadron 210 sank the boat with the loss of the entire crew.

Gerhard Hälbich, born 12 November 1916 at Kiel, Class of 1936. Seconded to the Luftwaffe September 1939 until February 1942. He went into U-Boat training course March through September 1942 and the following month, was posted aboard U-404 as I.W.O. until February 1943. He went into U-Boat Commander’s course March and April 1943 and the U-Boat Commander’s Torpedo Course 43. Baubelehrung April to May 1943. He was then posted as Commander of U-673 from 8 May 1943 until 14 August 1943. He was promoted to Kapitänleutnant 1 June 1943 then was on Staff of the 1st U-Bootflottille at Brest from September 1943 until September 1944 when that base was overrun by the Allies and he was taken P.o.W. He remained a prisoner until 8 January 1948.

Werner Happe, born 23 September 1915 at Alfeld, Leine, Class of 1936. He was promoted to Oberleutnant on 1 October 1940 and was seconded to the Luftwaffe in August 1941 then went to U-Boat training from August to December 1941. He was posted to U-68 as II. W. O. under KARL-FRIEDERICH MERTEN (23-+-1984) then served aboard the same boat as I. W. O. April 1942 through July 1942. He took the U-Boat Commander’s course at the 24th U-Bootflottille and 2nd U.A.A. August to October 1942. He was then Skipper of U-192 from 16 November 1942 until 6 May 1943 when the boat was sunk on that date in 1943 south of Cape Farewell by the Royal Navy’s HMS PINK. All hands were lost.

There will be more in KTB #175 next month about U-Boat Skippers who were once fliers, thanks to CHUCK MYLES.

WWII Vom Seeflieger Zum U-bootfahrer From Naval Aviator to Submariner [KTB 170]
WWII Vom Seeflieger Zum U-bootfahrer From Naval Aviator to Submariner [KTB 172]
WWII Vom Seeflieger Zum U-bootfahrer From Naval Aviator to Submariner [KTB 173]
WWII Vom Seeflieger Zum U-bootfahrer From Naval Aviator to Submariner [KTB 174]