We continue with this data on the U-Boat Skippers who were once fliers.

Detlef von Lehsten,
born 14 August 1917 at Hamburg and was in Naval Class 1937b.
Seconded to Luftwaffe March 1942;
U-Boat training March to October 1942,
I.W.O- on U-584 October 1942 through June 1943;
Commander's course at the 24th U-Bootflottille in June and July 1943;
Also U-Boat Commander's torpedo course 50;
Baubelehrung Cdr. U-996 with 8h KLA July to September 1943. This boat was damaged in the yard at B& V Hamburg so was moved to Konigsberg.
Commander of U-373 from 26 September 1943 to 8 June 1944;
1st UAA June and July 1944;
Baubelehrung for Type XXI with the 7th KLA from July to November 1944;
Commander of U-3508 from 2 November 1944 to 30 March 1945;
Promoted to Kapitanleutnant 18 February 1945;
Commander of U-3044 from 26 April to 5 May 1945.

Luftwaffe Oberst (Colonel) Hermann Lessing,
born 20 October 1900 in Florence, Italy and was in Naval Class 1921.
Flight Leader, Bordfliegerstaffel 1./196 October 1937 to September 1939;
Commander Kustenfliegergruppe 706 October 1939 to June 1940;
Commander Kustenfliegergruppe 906 from July 1940 to June 1942;
Promoted to Oberst on 1 April 1942;
Liaison Officer Oberkommando der Luftwaffe to OLM/SKL July to October 1942;
Various duties November 1942 to February 1943;
Commander Luftwaffe Navigation School, Strasburg March to June 1943;
Rank transferred to Kapitan zur See;
U-Boat training and U-Boat Commander's School and U-Boat Commander's Torpedo Course 59 July to December 1943;
Baubelehrung with 8the KLA Jan. and Feb. 1944;
Skipper of U-1231 from 9 Feb. 1944 to March 1945;
Chief of Staff, Staff 2/Admin. Baltic and 2/Admin. Baltic Sea/North Sea from March 1045 to surrender;
Detained shortly - freed 10 October 1945.

Wolfgang Leu,
born 6 July 1917 at Kaltennordheim and was in Naval Class 1937b.
Seconded to Luftwaffe Feb. 1940 to March 1943;
U-Boat training March through September 1942;
Served as I.W.O. on U-456 October 1942 to March 1943 which was fortunate, as the boat was lost two months later;
Promoted to Oberleutnant zur See on 1 April 1942;
U-Boat Commander's Course at the 2.UAA and 20 U-Bootflottille March and April 1943;
U-Boat commander's Torpedo Course 44;
Baubelehrung with the 5.KLA April and May 1943;
Skipper U-921 from 30 May 1943 to 24 May 1944.

U-921 was rushing to aid the sinking U-476 when U-921 came under repeated and heavy attack from enemy bombers. U-921 was able to escape by maneuvering at high speed, but after his flak guns had been put out of action, Leu was forced to dive.

Leu was the last to leave the bridge, but his sea boot got caught on the conning tower ladder. The lower conning tower hatch was already closed, so the inrushing water filled the tower and washed Leu up and out of the hatch. He secured the upper hatch with him on the outside, thereby sacrificing himself for the safety of his boat and crew. U-921 dived out from under Leu.

Despite the ever present danger from the bombers, Neumann (the I.W.O.) surfaced the boat but in the heavy seas, Leu stood no chance of survival or even of being spotted. Neumann took over command of U-921 temporarily from 24 to 31 May 1944, and got the boat safely back to Trondheim with three wounded men.

Peter Lohmeyer,
born 2 January 1911 in Zanzibar, and was in Naval Class 1932.
3/Kustenmehrzweckstaffel 106 (Luftwaffe coastal multi-purpose squadron until October 1939;
Watch Officer aboard U-19 Nov. 1939 to June 1940;
Commander U-19 from 26 June to 20 October 1940;
Commander U-138 from 21 Oct. to 31 Dec. 1940;
Beubelehrung January and February 1941;
Commander U-651 from 12 Feb. to 29 June 1941;

His boat was sunk on 29 June 1941 and he became a P.O.W. He was promoted to Korvettenkapitan on 1 Sep 1944 while in camp. This was not uncommon -- in fact, the rules of the Geneva Convention provide that any combatant is promoted one rank once taken into captivity. In the early years of the war, medals and awards were sometimes given out to P.O.W.'s as well.

Why were so many flying officers moved to the U-Boats?

As we know, the Treaty of Versailles allowed Germany only 100,000 men and 800 officers in uniform. Officers were trained as officers first, then in the branches of service. When the need arose, they were transferred. It was NOT voluntary.

Olaf Lubcke,
born 27 August 1919 at unknown place, and was in Naval Class 1937b.
Seconded to Luftwaffe September 1939 to June 1943;
U-Boat Training; U-Boat Commander's Course and Baubelehrung July 1943 to May 1944;
Commander U-826 from 11 May 1944 to surrender;
Promoted to Kapitanleutnant 1 January 1945.
He was detained for some years, and freed May 1948.

Gustav Liissow,
born 30 December 1917 at Teterow, Mecklenburg and was in Naval Class 193 7A.
Promoted to Oberleutnant zur See 1 September 1941;
Seconded to Luftwaffe October 1939 to March 1942;
U-Boat training March through September 1942;
Watch Officer on U-566 Sept. to December 1942;
I.W.O. on U-566 December 1942 to March 1943;
U-Boat Commander's Course with the 2.UAA and 24th U-Bootflottille March to May 1943;
U-Boat Commander's Torpedo Course 45;
Commander U-571 from 31 May 1943 to 28 January 1944, when U-571 was lost with all hands.

Wilhelm Luis,
born 13 December 1915 at Lubeck, and was in the Naval Class 1935.
Seconded to Luftwaffe October through Dec. 1937;
Was with 3./(M) Kustenfliegergruppe 806;
Instructor at Naval Academy Miirwik December 1940 to January 1942;
U-Boat training February to July 1942
Promoted to Kapitanleutnant 1 June 1942;
Served as I.W.O. on U-504 July to December 1942;
U-Commander's Course with 2e U-Bootflottille from December 1942 to January 1943,
Commander U-504 from 6 January to 30 July 1943.
He was lost when U-504 was sunk with all hands, and received a posthumous promotion to Korvettenkapitan in July 1943.

Rolf Manke,
born 21 December 1915 at Berlin-Lichterfeld and was in Naval Class 1935.
Seconded to Luftwaffe Sept. 1938 to August 1941;
U-Boat training August 1941 to January 1942,
Served as I.W.O. aboard U-576 January - May 1942;
U-Commander's course with the 2e U-Bootflottille June and July 1942;
Baubelehrung July and August 1942;
Promoted to Kapitanleutnant 1 January 1943;
Skipper U-358 from 15 Aug. 1942 to 1 March 1944.
Manke was lost when U-358 was sunk with all hands lost. Thanks again CHUCK for all this great history!

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]
WWII Vom Seeflieger Zum U-bootfahrer From Naval Aviator to Submariner [KTB 175]
WWII Vom Seeflieger Zum U-bootfahrer From Naval Aviator to Submariner [KTB 176]
WWII Vom Seeflieger Zum U-bootfahrer From Naval Aviator to Submariner [KTB 177]
WWII Vom Seeflieger Zum U-bootfahrer From Naval Aviator to Submariner [KTB 178]
WWII Vom Seeflieger Zum U-bootfahrer From Naval Aviator to Submariner [KTB 179]
WWII Vom Seeflieger Zum U-bootfahrer From Naval Aviator to Submariner [KTB 180]
WWII Vom Seeflieger Zum U-bootfahrer From Naval Aviator to Submariner [KTB 181]