Hans-Werner Kraus


Hans-Werner Kraus was a German U-boat commander in the Kriegsmarine of Nazi Germany. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.
Kraus served as 1st watch officer on from January 1940 until November 1940 having replaced Engelbert Endrass. He later commanded and.
He was on board the latter when it was attacked by Brazilian Air Force aircraft on 27 June 1943. Kraus evaded only to be targeted by a VP-74 Mariner piloted by Lt. Harold C. Carey. The German crew shot it down and the crew were killed.
Kraus was sunk by aircraft off the coast of Brazil on 31 July 1943. Captured, he was sent as a POW to the United States. Kraus was one of the 25 POWs who escaped from Camp Papago Park, Arizona, during the night of 23–24 December 1944 but was recaptured.

Summary of career

Ships attacked


DateU-boatShipNationalityTonnageFate
12 October 1941Eagle2,044damaged
12 October 1941Corte Real2,044Sunk
20 October 1941Indra2,032Sunk
26 October 1941HMS Anguani6,746Damaged
17 March 1942Crista2,590Damaged
8 June 1942Esther *100Sunk
8 June 1942Said231Sunk
9 June 1942Typhoon *175Sunk
13 June 1942HMS Farouk96Sunk
17 August 1942Princess Marguerite5,875Sunk
27 June 1943Charles Wilson Peale7,176damaged
4 July 1943Changri-Lá20Sunk
24 July 1943Henzada4,161Sunk

  • Sailing vessel

Awards