TracesOfWar needs your help! Every euro, pound or dollar you contribute greatly supports the continuation of this website. Go to stiwot.nl and donate!

Christophersen, Erwin (U-228)

Date of birth:
April 13th, 1915 (Sonderburg/Schleswick, Germany)
Date of death:
May 4th, 1945 (Lillebaelt, Danmark)
Buried on:
German War Graves Copenhagen-West
Plot: G. Row: 5. Grave: 49.
Nationality:
German

Biography

Erwin Christophersen was killed on May 4th, 1945 as passenger on board the U 2503, when the ship was hit by a rocket during an air attack. Both Christophersen and the ships commander Kapitänleutnant Karl-Jung Wächter were killed in the attack.

Promotions:
September 25th, 1935: Seekadett;
May 1st, 1937: Fähnrich zur See;
July 1st, 1938: Oberfähnrich zur See;
October 1st, 1938: Leutnant zur See;
October 1st, 1940: Oberleutnant zur See;
September 1st, 1943: Kapitänleutnant.

Career:
1935: Kriegsmarine;
1939 - January 1941: 2. Staffel, Küstenfliegergruppe 606 / Küstenfliegergruppe 906;
January 6th, 1941: Kriegsmarine;
?: 1. Wachoffizier, U 753;
1942: Schule für U boot Kommandeur, 24. Unterseebootsflottille;
?; Baubelehrung U 228;
September 12th, 1942: Kommandant, U 228;
September 1944: Führerreserve OKM;
November 1944: Baubelehrung, U 3028;
January 27th, 1945 - May 3rd, 1945: Kommandant, U 3028.

Erwin Christophersen accomplished a total of five oerational sorties with U 228 and as a commander did not sink any ship.

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1940
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant zur See
Unit:
1. Wachoffizier, U 753, 3. Unterseebootsflottille, Kriegsmarine
Awarded on:
March 27th, 1942
U-boot Kriegsabzeichen (ohne Brillianten)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant zur See
Awarded on:
1942
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Käpitanleutnant (Lieutenant)
Unit:
Kommandant, U 228, 5. Unterseebootsflottille, Kriegsmarine
Awarded on:
July 11th, 1944
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold

Sources

Photo