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Sommer, Helmut, "Seiltänzer" (U-853)

Date of birth:
August 24th, 1914 (Breslau)
Date of death:
May 17th, 1973
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Crew 35
5 Apr 1935 : Offiziersanwärter
1 Jul 1936 : Fähnrich zur See
1 Jan 1938 : Oberfähnrich zur See
1 Apr 1938 : Leutnant zur See
1 Oct 1939 : Oberleutnant zur See
1 Aug 1942 : Kapitänleutnant

00.03.1940-00.04.1940: Torpedooffizier, Zerstörer, "Z-2", "Georg Thiele"
00.04.1940-00.07.1940: land fighting Narvik
00.07.1940-00.03.1941: Wachoffizier, Zerstörer, "Z-15", "ERICH STEINBRINCK"
01.07.1942-30.09.1942: Kdr, U-139
00.11.1942-16.05.1943: Kdr, U-78
25.06.1943-09.07.1944: Kdr, U-853
25.05.1944: U-853 attacked by British warplanes and escaped
15.06.1944: U.S. Navy aircraft and several destroyers caught U-853 on the surface but she dived and escaped again
17.06.1944: severely WIA when U-853 was attacked by 2 Wildcat aircraft from the US escort carrier Croatian (CVE-25) when radioing weather information back to Germany : 2 KIA and 12 WIA
18.06.1944: damaged, U-853 returned to Lorient, France, for refitting, repair, and crew replacement
04.07.1944: damaged U-853 arrived at Lorient
10.07.1944-00.02.1945: 10. U-Flottille, Lorient and 1. U-Ausbildungsabteilung, Plön
00.02.1945-00.04.1945: Referent, 6. K.L.A., Bremen
00.04.1945-00.05.1945: Referent, Inspektion des Bildungswesens der Marine, Annahmestelle für Offiziersbewerber, Stralsund

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant zur See (Sub-lieutenant)
Awarded on:
November 20th, 1939
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant zur See
Awarded on:
June 28th, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant zur See
Unit:
"Erich Steinbrink"
Awarded on:
October 24th, 1940
His Marine-Personalakte gives 31.10.1940
Zerstörer-Kriegsabzeichen
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant zur See
Unit:
Zerstörer "Georg Thiele"
Awarded on:
November 10th, 1940
His Marine-Personalakte gives 01.11.1940
Narvikschild
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Käpitanleutnant (Lieutenant)
Unit:
"U 853", 10. Unterseebootsflottille
Awarded on:
July 8th, 1944
U-boot Kriegsabzeichen
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Käpitanleutnant (Lieutenant)
Unit:
Kommandant, U-Boot, "U 853", 10. Unterseebootsflottille
Awarded on:
August 3rd, 1944
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Käpitanleutnant (Lieutenant)
Unit:
"U 853", 10. Unterseebootsflottille
Awarded on:
July 8th, 1944
WIA 17.6.1944 when two Wildcat aircraft from the American escort carrier Croatan (CVE-25) attacked U853
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
April 5th, 1939
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4.Klasse, 4 Jahre
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant zur See (Sub-lieutenant)
Awarded on:
1939
DRL Sportabzeichen in Bronze

Sources

  • - Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht - TITLE

Photo