The Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote or BdU (Eng: "Commander of the U-boats") was the supreme commander of the German Navy's U-boat Arm (Ubootwaffe) during the First and Second World Wars. The term also referred to the Command HQ of the U-boat arm.[1]
The title was established in June 1917, replacing the role of "Leader of the U-boats" (Führer der Unterseeboote, or FdU) for the High Seas Flotillas. The first incumbent was Kapitan zur See/KommodoreAndreas Michelsen, previously head of the High Seas Fleet’s destroyer force.[2] The post was abolished with the end of the war.
It was revived on 17 October 1939, when Karl Dönitz was promoted to rear admiral (Konteradmiral). His previous title had been FdU, a position he had held from January 1936.[3]
On 31 January 1943 Dönitz was promoted to grand admiral (Großadmiral) and became supreme commander (Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine) of the entire Kriegsmarine, replacing Erich Raeder. He retained the title, but was replaced as operational commander at BdU by his chief of staff Eberhard Godt.[4]
Godt's successor was Admiral Hans Georg von Friedeburg, who held the position at the end of the war and became commander-in-chief of the German navy when Doenitz became head of Nazi Germany after Hitler's suicide.
Dobratz, KurtKapitän zur See Kurt Dobratz (1904–1995)
1 May 1945
8 May 1945
7 days
Dobratz had transferred from navy to Luftwaffe in 1935. He rejoined the Kriegsmarine in 1943 and was given command of U-1232 taking it out on one patrol before becoming chief of staff at BdU.[5]
Chief of Staff of the Commanding Admiral of the U-boats
No.
Portrait
Stabschef des Kommandierenden Admirals der Unterseeboote
VE Tarrant (1989) The U-Boat Offensive 1914-1945 Arms & Armour ISBN0-85368-928-8
November 11, 2023
befehlshaber, boote, befehlshaber, unterseeboote, commander, boats, supreme, commander, german, navy, boat, ubootwaffe, during, first, second, world, wars, term, also, referred, command, boat, commander, boats, kriegsmarineabbreviationbdureports, tooberbefehls. The Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote or BdU Eng Commander of the U boats was the supreme commander of the German Navy s U boat Arm Ubootwaffe during the First and Second World Wars The term also referred to the Command HQ of the U boat arm 1 Commander of the U boatsBefehlshaber der U Boote KriegsmarineAbbreviationBdUReports toOberbefehlshaber der MarinePrecursorFuhrer der UnterseebooteFormation1917 recreated 17 October 1939Abolished8 May 1945The title was established in June 1917 replacing the role of Leader of the U boats Fuhrer der Unterseeboote or FdU for the High Seas Flotillas The first incumbent was Kapitan zur See Kommodore Andreas Michelsen previously head of the High Seas Fleet s destroyer force 2 The post was abolished with the end of the war It was revived on 17 October 1939 when Karl Donitz was promoted to rear admiral Konteradmiral His previous title had been FdU a position he had held from January 1936 3 On 31 January 1943 Donitz was promoted to grand admiral Grossadmiral and became supreme commander Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine of the entire Kriegsmarine replacing Erich Raeder He retained the title but was replaced as operational commander at BdU by his chief of staff Eberhard Godt 4 Godt s successor was Admiral Hans Georg von Friedeburg who held the position at the end of the war and became commander in chief of the German navy when Doenitz became head of Nazi Germany after Hitler s suicide Contents 1 Imperial German Navy Kaiserliche Marine 2 Kriegsmarine 2 1 Commander 2 2 Subordinate 3 Notes 4 ReferencesImperial German Navy Kaiserliche Marine editAndreas Michelsen June 1917 to November 1918 Kriegsmarine editCommander edit No Portrait Name Took office Left office Time in office Other positions held1 nbsp Donitz Karl KonteradmiralKarl Donitz 1891 1980 17 October 193931 January 19433 years 106 daysFdU January 36 September 39 2 nbsp Godt Eberhard KonteradmiralEberhard Godt 1900 1995 31 January 19438 May 19452 years 97 daysAdmiralstabsoffizier 1939 1939 Chef der Operationsabteilung 1939 1945 Subordinate edit Department ChiefNo Portrait Abteilungschef Took office Left office Time in office1 nbsp Friedeburg Hans Kapitan zur SeeHans Georg von Friedeburg 1895 1945 note 1 17 October 193911 September 19411 year 10 months2nd Admiral of the U boatsNo Portrait 2 Admiral der Unterseeboote Took office Left office Time in office1 nbsp Friedeburg Hans KonteradmiralHans Georg von Friedeburg 1895 1945 12 September 194130 April 19431 year 7 monthsCommanding Admiral of the U boatsNo Portrait Kommandierender Admiralder Unterseeboote Took office Left office Time in office1 nbsp Friedeburg Hans AdmiralHans Georg von Friedeburg 1895 1945 1 February 194330 April 19452 years 2 months2 nbsp Dobratz Kurt Kapitan zur SeeKurt Dobratz 1904 1995 1 May 19458 May 19457 daysDobratz had transferred from navy to Luftwaffe in 1935 He rejoined the Kriegsmarine in 1943 and was given command of U 1232 taking it out on one patrol before becoming chief of staff at BdU 5 Chief of Staff of the Commanding Admiral of the U boatsNo Portrait Stabschef des KommandierendenAdmirals der Unterseeboote Took office Left office Time in office1 nbsp Beucke Heinz FregattenkapitanHeinz Ehler Beucke 1904 1979 March 1943May 19432 months2 nbsp Kratzenberg Ernst KonteradmiralErnst Kratzenberg 1896 1984 June 1943April 19451 year 10 months3 nbsp Dobratz Kurt Kapitan zur SeeKurt Dobratz 1904 1995 April 1945April 19450 days4 nbsp Engler Ewald FregattenkapitanEwald Engler born 1913 1 May 19458 May 19457 daysBeucke was withdrawn from command of U boat a single patrol with German submarine U 173 in 1942 because his brothers had been killed Notes edit committed suicide 23 May 1945 Hague pviii Tarrant p56 Karl Donitz uboat net Retrieved 31 August 2009 Eberhard Godt uboat net Retrieved 31 August 2009 Kurt Dobratz uboat netReferences editArnold Hague The Allied Convoy System 1939 1945 2000 ISBN 1 55125 033 0 Canada ISBN 1 86176 147 3 UK VE Tarrant 1989 The U Boat Offensive 1914 1945 Arms amp Armour ISBN 0 85368 928 8 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Befehlshaber der U Boote amp oldid 1182851405, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
