Werner Hartmann facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Werner Hartmann
Born	(1902-12-11)11 December 1902 Silstedt, Harz
Died	26 April 1963(1963-04-26) (aged 60) Usseln, Waldeck
Allegiance	Weimar Republic  Nazi Germany  West Germany
Service/branch	Reichsmarine  Kriegsmarine  German Navy
Years of service	1921–45, 1956–62
Rank	Kapitän zur See
Unit	SSS Niobe Hannover Berlin cruiser Emden cruiser Karlsruhe 2nd U-boat Flotilla 6th U-boat Flotilla 12th U-boat Flotilla 27th U-boat Flotilla
Commands held	Seeadler, Albatros U-26, U-37, U-198
Battles/wars	Spanish Civil War World War II Battle of the Atlantic
Awards	Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves

Werner Hartmann (born December 11, 1902 – died April 26, 1963) was a German U-boat commander during World War II. He was known for sinking many ships. In total, he was credited with sinking 26 ships, which added up to over 115,000 tons. This made him one of the most successful U-boat commanders of the war. He received a special award called the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves.

Early Life and Naval Training

Werner Hartmann was born in a small town called Silstedt in Germany. This was on December 11, 1902. His father was a pastor, which is a type of church leader.

From 1909 to 1914, he went to primary school. After that, he attended a secondary school called a Gymnasium.

Joining the Navy

In 1914, when he was 11, Hartmann joined the Royal Prussian Cadet Corps. This was a special school for young people who wanted to become military officers. He studied there until 1921.

After finishing school, he started his naval career on April 1, 1921. He joined the Reichsmarine, which was the German navy at the time.

Training and Early Commands

Hartmann spent several years training to become a naval officer. He learned about weapons and how to sail ships. He trained on ships like the Hannover and the training ship Niobe.

He moved up in rank, becoming an officer cadet and then a senior ensign. Later, he commanded torpedo boats. These are small, fast ships that carry torpedoes. He commanded the Seeadler and Albatros.

In 1935, he joined the U-boat arm of the navy. U-boats are submarines. He commanded U-26 during the Spanish Civil War from 1937 to 1938.

World War II Service

When World War II began, Werner Hartmann became a very important U-boat commander. From January to May 1940, he commanded U-37. He also helped direct other U-boats from land.

During his time on U-37, he completed three patrols. He sank 19 ships, which totaled over 78,000 tons. Because of his success, he received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.

Leading U-boat Flotillas

After his time at sea, Hartmann worked at the U-boat High Command. In November 1940, he became the commander of a U-boat training division. A year later, he took charge of the 27th U-boat Flotilla in Gotenhafen. A flotilla is a group of naval ships.

In November 1942, he went back to sea. He commanded a large submarine called U-198. This U-boat went on a very long patrol to the Indian Ocean. It lasted 200 days, which was one of the longest patrols ever. During this patrol, he sank 7 more ships.

In 1944, Hartmann became the "Commander of U-boats in the Mediterranean Sea". For his leadership in this role, he received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. This was a higher version of the award he had already received.

Post-War and Later Life

After World War II ended, Werner Hartmann joined the new German navy, called the Bundesmarine, on July 1, 1956. He commanded a naval training regiment. He retired from the navy on April 1, 1962.

Werner Hartmann passed away on April 26, 1963, in Usseln, Germany. He was buried in a family grave.

Summary of Achievements

Ships Sunk by Werner Hartmann

As a commander of U-37 and U-198, Werner Hartmann sank 26 ships. These ships had a total weight of 115,337 tons.

List of Ships Attacked
Date	U-boat	Name	Nationality	Tonnage (GRT)	Fate
8 September 1939	U-37	Vistula	Sweden	1,018	Sunk at grid AF 7774, about 45 nautical miles north of Muckle Flugga, Shetland
12 October 1939	U-37	Artis	Greece	4,810	Sunk at 53°28′N 14°30′W / 53.467°N 14.500°W / 53.467; -14.500 (Vistula (ship))
15 October 1939	U-37	Vermont	France	5,186	Sunk
17 October 1939	U-37	Yorkshire	United Kingdom	10,183	Sunk
24 October 1939	U-37	Ledbury	United Kingdom	3,528	Sunk
24 October 1939	U-37	Menin Ridge	United Kingdom	2,474	Sunk
24 October 1939	U-37	Tafna	United Kingdom	4,413	Sunk
30 October 1939	U-37	Thrasyvoulos	Greece	3,693	Sunk
4 February 1940	U-37	Hop	Norway	1,365	Sunk
4 February 1940	U-37	Leo Dawson	United Kingdom	4,330	Sunk
10 February 1940	U-37	Silja	Norway	1,259	Sunk
11 February 1940	U-37	Togimo	United Kingdom	290	Sunk
15 February 1940	U-37	Aase	Denmark	1,206	Sunk
17 February 1940	U-37	Pyrrhus	United Kingdom	7,418	Sunk
18 February 1940	U-37	Elin	Greece	4,917	Sunk
18 February 1940	U-37	P.L.M. 15	France	3,754	Sunk
10 April 1940	U-37	Sveaborg	Sweden	9,076	Sunk
10 April 1940	U-37	Tosca	Norway	5,128	Sunk
12 April 1940	U-37	Stancliffe	United Kingdom	4,511	Sunk
17 May 1943	U-198	Northmoor	United Kingdom	4,392	Sunk
29 May 1943	U-198	Hopetarn	United Kingdom	5,231	Sunk
5 June 1943	U-198	Dumra	United Kingdom	2,304	Sunk
6 June 1943	U-198	William King	United States	7,176	Sunk
6 July 1943	U-198	Hydraios	Greece	4,476	Sunk
7 July 1943	U-198	Leana	United Kingdom	4,742	Sunk
1 August 1943	U-198	Mangkalihat	Netherlands	8,457	Sunk

Awards Received

Werner Hartmann received several awards for his service:

• Wehrmacht Long Service Award (1936 and 1939)
• Spanish Naval Merit Cross (1939)
• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class (November 8, 1939)
  • 1st Class (November 8, 1939)
• U-boat War Badge (1939) (December 7, 1939)
  • with Diamonds (November 5, 1944)
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
  • Knight's Cross on May 9, 1940, as a Korvettenkapitän (Corvette Captain) and commander of U-37.
  • 645th Oak Leaves on November 5, 1944, as a Kapitän zur See (Captain at Sea) and leader of U-boats in the Mediterranean Sea.

Promotions in Rank

Werner Hartmann moved up through the ranks in the navy: