Otto Kretschmer
Military Person
1912 – 1998
Who was Otto Kretschmer?
Flotilla Admiral Otto Kretschmer was a German U-boat commander in the Second World War and later an admiral in the Bundesmarine. From September 1939 until being captured in March 1941, he sank 47 ships, a total of 274,333 tons. For this he received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords, among other awards. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves and Swords was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. He earned the nickname "Silent Otto" both for his successful use of the "silent running" capability of the U-boats as well and for his reluctance to transmit radio messages during patrols. After the war, he served in the German Federal Navy and retired in 1970 with the rank of flotilla admiral.
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- Born
- May 1, 1912
Hajduki Nyskie - Nationality
- Germany
- Nazi Germany
- West Germany
- Died
- Aug 5, 1998
Bavaria
Submitted
on July 23, 2013
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