Otto Kretschmer Military person

Flotilla Admiral Otto Kretschmer (1 May 1912 – 5 August 1998) was the most successful German U-boat commander in the Second World War and later an admiral in the Bundesmarine. From September 1939 until being captured in March 1941, he sank 47 ships, a total of 274,333 tons. For this he received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern), among other awards. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves and Swords was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. He earned the nickname "Silent Otto" both for his successful use of the "silent running" capability of the U-boats as well and for his reluctance to transmit radio messages during patrols. After the war, he served in the German Federal Navy and retired in 1970 with the rank of flotilla admiral (commodore).

Personal facts

Birth date	May 01, 1912
Birth place	Legnica , Heidau
Date of death	August 05, 1998
Place of death	Bavaria

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Military person

allegiance	Nazi Germany (to 1945) Weimar Republic (to 1933) West Germany
award	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Iron Cross U-boat War Badge
military command	1 October 1937 – 1 April 1940 18 April 1940 – 17 March 1941 31 July 1937 – 15 August 1937
military unit	7th U-boat Flotilla 1st U-boat Flotilla 2nd U-boat Flotilla
service start	1930
service end	1930