Favorite Sub Commander

[frau kaleun]

In no particular order:

Kretschmer
Topp
Cremer

Altho this is probably because I've read enough about them or by them to be suitably impressed with regard to their achievements and character.

I would H. Lehmann-Willenbrock but I know my opinion of him is mostly a result of his semi-fictional portrayal in Das Boot so it really doesn't count.

[Jimbuna]

Kretschmer....went to see where he was imprisoned(or what was left of it) in England last September.

[Raptor1]

Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière, not necessarily for the massive amount of ships and tonnage he sank (194 for 453,716 GRT), but for being so successful despite being in primitive WWI boats and doing so while following the prize rules of the time.

[nikimcbee]

Originally Posted by Raptor1

Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière, not necessarily for the massive amount of ships and tonnage he sank (194 for 453,716 GRT), but for being so successful despite being in primitive WWI boats and doing so while restricted by prize rules.

Good Choice
For WWI, I'll say Weddigen

[Raptor1]

Originally Posted by nikimcbee

For WWI, I'll say Weddigen

Otto Weddigen would be my second choice, he was involved in some of the most successful submarine actions in the war. His boat was also sunk in quite a peculiar manner.

[Collin Dougherty]

For WWI i would say Walther Forstman.

[nikimcbee]

Originally Posted by Raptor1

Otto Weddigen would be my second choice, he was involved in some of the most successful submarine actions in the war. His boat was also sunk in quite a peculiar manner.

Anybody that sailed in those early U-boats and survived is okay in my book.

[Collin Dougherty]

Originally Posted by nikimcbee

Anybody that sailed in those early U-boats and survived is okay in my book.

I completly agree

[nikimcbee]

Mush Morton!
Dick O'Kane

Prien
Hardegen
Kretschmer

[Feuer Frei!]

Otto Kretschmer, without a doubt:
In all, he sank 56 ships to become the tonnage king of the German U-Boat service, with a total tonnage of 313,611 tons. This was a remarkable achievement considering that he only spent 18 months at sea in WW2.
Awarded The Knight's Cross on the 4th. of August 1940, Oak Leaves added on the 4th. of November 1940, and Swords added on the 26th. of December 1941.



My second favourite is:
Wolfgang Luth.
Over his time at sea, he sank 221,981 tons of shipping made up from the 47 ships he sent to the bottom.
He came to a tragic end when Admiral Donitz sent him off to the Naval Academy in Flensburg-Murwik to take over command there, he was mistakenly shot by a sentry there, to die on the 14th. of May in 1945.
He was given a State funeral two days later, the only U-Boat Captain to be honoured that way.
Awards:
The Knight's Cross on the 24th. of October 1940, Oak Leaves added on the 13th. of November 1942, Swords added on the 15th. of April 1943, and the final accolade, Diamonds added on the 9th. of August 1943. Wolfgang was one of two U-Boat commanders to gain the Diamonds award to his Knight's Cross.


Both Legends, i salute you

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by Raptor1

Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière

Gets my vote as well. Among his many exploits was surviving hiding under a freighter he had torpedoed, only to have it sink on top of him. Pure luck, that escape was.

Originally Posted by Feuer Frei!

Otto Kretschmer, without a doubt:
In all, he sank 56 ships to become the tonnage king of the German U-Boat service, with a total tonnage of 313,611 tons.

Only for World War 2.

[Collin Dougherty]

U-99 right?
Why wasent he imprisoned?
He continued to serve after WWII right?
And even before?

[mookiemookie]

Hardegen, Kretschmer, O'Kane, Kossler, Lueth to an extent, and Cremer.

[Collin Dougherty]

All Very Good
The only reason I like prein So much is because he was original, the old breed.
The "First" of the aces I guess you could say.

[nikimcbee]

Luth is an interesting guy, you should read his bio.

Oh, how could I forget Mr. Topp. I have an interview tape of him. Pretty interesting stuff.