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Originally Posted by mookiemookie
Early in the war, the minimum age to command a U-boat was 25. The oldest commander was the commander of the Milk Cow U-459 who was (IIRC) 47!
As the war ground on, the age requirement went down and the youngest Kaleuns ever (again IIRC) were 19 and 20.
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Correct
There were also guidelines for promotions, which in wartime were at least 1.5 years of service before moving up from Oberleutnant to Kapitanleautnant, or from Kapitanleutnant to Korvettenkapitan.
There were many very successful young commanders though. My favorite Mohr, was a highly-decorated Fregattenkapitan by 1943, and he didn't even live until his 27th birthday (and he was one of those who was only allowed command when he reached 25)...