Hans Rose

Who was Hans Rose?

Lieutenant Commander Hans Rose was one of the most successful and highly decorated German U-boat commander in the Kaiserliche Marine during World War I.

Rose was one of the most respected and brave U-boat commanders and famous for his humanity and fairness in battle. Sometimes when he torpedoed a ship he would wait until all the lifeboats were filled, he would then throw a tow line, give the victims food, keeping all the survivors together until a rescuing destroyer appeared on the horizon when he would let go and submerge. There exist many reports of him caring for survivors even when putting his own boat at risk.

Rose sank 79 ships for a total of 213,987 tons during the entire war.