Reinhold Saltzwedel


Oberleutnant zur See Reinhold Saltzwedel was a successful and highly decorated German U-boat commander in the Kaiserliche Marine during World War I.
Saltzwedel sank a total of 111 merchant vessels for. On 1 September 1936, his name was given to 2nd U-boat Flotilla of the Kriegsmarine in Wilhelmshaven to honour him.

Early life

Reinhold Saltzwedel was born on 23 November 1889 in Rosenberg, Upper Silesia. His father was a parson.

World War I

Saltzwedel was a Leutnant zur See when World War I broke out and Adjutant on the. On 19 September 1914, he was promoted to Oberleutnant zur See.
In May 1915 he went to the U-boat school. Shortly afterwards joined the active units and served as commander of several U-boats. On 20 August 1917 he was awarded the Pour le Mérite for his achievements.
On 18 September 1917, he became the commanding officer of, in which he died on 2 December after UB-81 ran into a mine. 29 men lost their lives.