Rolf Mützelburg
Rolf Mützelburg
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File:MUTZELBURG.jpg | |
Born | Kiel |
23 June 1913
Died | Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist. Atlantic Ocean Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Allegiance | Weimar Republic (to 1933) Nazi Germany |
Service/ |
Reichsmarine Kriegsmarine |
Years of service | 1931–42 |
Rank | Kapitänleutnant |
Unit | 21st U-boat Flotilla 1st U-boat Flotilla |
Commands held | U-10 U-203 |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Awards | Iron Cross 1st Class Iron Cross 2nd Class U-boat War Badge Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves |
Kapitänleutnant Rolf Mützelburg (23 June 1913 – 11 September 1942) was a German U-boat commander during World War II and a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Mützelburg died on active service on 11 September 1942 following an accident at sea.
Contents
Career
Mützelburg joined the Reichsmarine of the Weimar Republic on 1 April 1932 as member of "Crew 1932" (the incoming class of 1932). After spending two years on minesweepers, in October 1939 he joined the U-boat arm.[1] He spent five months commanding the school boat U-10 from June to November 1940 as part of 21st U-boat Flotilla,[2] receiving his first combat experience aboard U-100 under Joachim Schepke. He commissioned U-203 into 1st U-boat Flotilla in February 1941. On his eight patrols in the Atlantic, the US east coast, and the Caribbean Sea, he sank 19 ships for a total of 81,961 gross register tons (GRT), and damaged three more (17,052 GRT).[1]
Mützelburg died on 11 September 1942 in a freak accident. He was swimming in the Atlantic south-west of the Azores, and dove from the conning tower, but struck the deck head-first when the U-boat suddenly lurched in the swell. The supply U-boat U-462 arrived the next day with a doctor on board, but too late, and Mützelburg was buried at sea on 12 September 1942.[1]
Summary of career
Ships attacked
Date | Ship | Nationality | GRT | Convoy | Fate[3] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
24 June 1941 | Kinross | United Kingdom | 4,956 | OB-336 | Sunk |
24 June 1941 | Soløy | Norway | 4,402 | HX-133 | Sunk |
27 July 1941 | Hawkinge | United Kingdom | 2,475 | OG-69 | Sunk |
28 July 1941 | Lapland | United Kingdom | 1,330 | OG-69 | Sunk |
28 July 1941 | Norita | Sweden | 1,516 | OG-69 | Sunk |
26 September 1941 | Avoceta | United Kingdom | 3,442 | HG-73 | Sunk |
26 September 1941 | Lapwing | United Kingdom | 1,348 | HG-73 | Sunk |
26 September 1941 | Varangberg | Norway | 2,842 | HG-73 | Sunk |
3 November 1941 | Empire Gemsbuck | United Kingdom | 5,626 | SC-52 | Sunk |
3 November 1941 | Everoja | United Kingdom | 4,830 | SC-52 | Sunk |
15 January 1942 | Catalina | Portugal | 632 | Sunk | |
17 January 1942 | Octavian | Norway | 1,345 | Sunk | |
21 January 1942 | North Gaspe | Canada | 888 | Damaged | |
10 April 1942 | San Delfino | United Kingdom | 8,072 | Sunk | |
11 April 1942 | Harry F. Sinclair, Jr. | United States | 6,151 | Damaged | |
12 April 1942 | Stanvac Melbourne | Panama | 10,013 | Damaged | |
14 April 1942 | Empire Thrush | United Kingdom | 6,160 | Sunk | |
26 June 1942 | Pedrinhas | Brazil | 3,666 | Sunk | |
26 June 1942 | Putney Hill | United Kingdom | 5,216 | Sunk | |
28 June 1942 | Sam Houston | United States | 7,176 | Sunk | |
9 July 1942 | Cape Verde | United Kingdom | 6,914 | Sunk | |
11 July 1942 | Stanvac Palembang | Panama | 10,013 | Sunk |
Awards
- Wehrmacht Long Service Award 4th Class (15 August 1936)[4]
- Iron Cross (1939)
- U-boat War Badge (1939) (1 July 1941)[5]
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
- Knight's Cross on 17 November 1941 as Kapitänleutnant and commander of U-203[7]
- 104th Oak Leaves on 15 July 1942 as Kapitänleutnant and commander of U-203[8]
- Mentioned three times in the Wehrmachtbericht on 30 July 1941, 20 April 1942 and 15 September 1942
Wehrmachtbericht references
Date | Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording | Direct English translation |
---|---|---|
Wednesday, 30 July 1941 | In der Atlantikschlacht haben sich die Unterseeboote unter Führung von Kapitänleutnant Mützelburg, Kapitänleutnant Bauer und Oberleutnant zur See Schüler besonders ausgezeichnet.[9] | The submarines under the command of Captain Lieutenant Mützelburg, Captain Lieutenant Bauer and First Lieutenant at Sea Schüler have particularly distinguished themselves in the Battle of the Atlantic. |
Monday, 20 April 1942 | Bei den Erfolgen deutscher Unterseeboote vor der USA-Küste zeichnete sich das Unterseeboot unter der Führung von Kapitänleutnant Mützelburg besonders aus.[10] | In the success of German submarines off the U.S. coast, the submarine under the leadership of Captain Lieutenant Mützelburg distinguished itself from the rest. |
15 September 1942 | Kapitänleutnant Rolf Mützelburg, Kommandant eines Unterseebootes, Träger des Eichenlaubes zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, ließ auf der Fahrt gegen den Feind sein Leben. In ihm verliert die Unterseebootwaffe einen hervorragender Kommandanten und erfolgreichen Kämpfer. Das Boot setzt unter dem Kommando des ältesten Wachoffiziers die Unternehmung fort.[11] | Captain Lieutenant Rolf Mützelburg, U-boat commander, recipient of the Knights Cross with Oak Leaves, lost his life on patrol. The U-boat arm has lost an outstanding commander and a successful fighter. The boat continues her patrol under the command of the senior watch officer. |
References
- Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ http://uboat.net/boats/successes/u.203/html%7Caccess date 2 February 2013
- ↑ Busch & Röll 2003, p. 156.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Busch & Röll 2003, p. 157.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Thomas 1998, p. 109.
- ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 319.
- ↑ Fellgiebel 2000, p. 60.
- ↑ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 1, p. 628.
- ↑ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 2, p. 91.
- ↑ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 2, p. 288.
- Bibliography
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External links
- Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- Pages with broken file links
- Articles containing German-language text
- 1913 births
- 1942 deaths
- People from Kiel
- Accidental deaths from falls
- German military personnel killed in World War II
- U-boat commanders
- Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
- Military personnel referenced in the Wehrmachtbericht
- Reichsmarine personnel
- Kriegsmarine personnel
- People who died at sea
- People from the Province of Schleswig-Holstein