Reinhart Reche

Reinhart Reche
File:Reinhart Reche.jpg
Born	13 December 1915 Kreuzburg
Died	3 March 1993 (1993-03-04) (aged 77) Bad Godesberg
Allegiance	Nazi Germany (to 1945) West Germany
Service/branch	Kriegsmarine German Navy
Years of service	1934–45 1956–74
Rank	Kapitänleutnant (Kriegsmarine) Kapitän zur See (Bundesmarine)
Unit	SSS Gorch Fock cruiser Emden Schlesien SSS Horst Wessel U-751
Commands held	U-255
Battles/wars	World War II Operation Wunderland
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Reinhart Reche (13 December 1915 in Kreuzburg – 3 March 1993 in Bad Godesberg) was a German U-boat commander in World War II and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Prior to taking command of U-255, Reche served as first watch officer on U-751 (31 January 1941 – 30 September 1941), at the time under the command of Gerhard Bigalk. He was credited with sinking four ships from convoy PQ 17.

Summary of career

Ships attacked

As a commander of U-255 Reche sank 9 commercial ships for 47,229 GRT, and damaged another commercial ship for a total loss of 7,191 GRT.

Date	Ship	Nationality	Tonnage	Fate and location
6 July 1942	John Witherspoon	United States	7,191	Sunk at
7 July 1942	Alcoa Ranger	United States	5,116	Sunk at
8 July 1942	Olopana	United States	6,069	Sunk at
13 July 1942	Paulus Potter	Netherlands	7,168	Sunk at
20 September 1942	Silver Sword	United States	4,937	Sunk at
26 January 1943	Krasnyj Partizan	Soviet Union	2,418	Sunk at
29 January 1943	Ufa	Soviet Union	1,892	Sunk at
3 February 1943	Greylock	United States	7,460	Sunk at
5 March 1943	Executive	United States	4,978	Sunk at
10 March 1943	Richard Bland	United States	7,191	Total loss at

Awards

• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class (7 July 1941)
  • 1st Class (23 July 1942)
• U-boat War Badge (1939) (9 September 1941)
• U-boat Front Clasp (2 November 1944)
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 17 March 1943 as Kapitänleutnant and commander of U-255
• Cross of Merit on Ribbon (27 August 1973)