Reinhold Saltzwedel

Reinhold Saltzwedel
Reinhold Saltzwedel
Born	23 November 1889 Rosenberg, Upper Silesia
Died	2 December 1917(1917-12-02) (aged 28) English Channel
Allegiance	German Empire
Service / branch	Imperial German Navy
Rank	Oberleutnant zur See
Commands	UB-10, January 13 – June 18, 1916 UC-10, June 14–26, 1916 UC-11, August 12–20, 1916 UC-21, September 15, 1916 – Jun 9 1917 UC-71, June 10 – September 13, 1917 UB-81, September 18 – Dec 2 1917
Battles / wars	U-boat Campaign (World War I)
Awards	Iron Cross 1st class 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 170,526 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.

Early life

Reinhold Saltzwedel was born on 23 November 1889 in Rosenberg, Upper Silesia.

World War I

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.

External links

Helgason, Guðmundur. "Oberleutnant zur See Reinhold Saltzwedel". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 21 February 2012.