Günther Heydemann

Günther Heydemann (11 January 1914 – 2 January 1986) was a German U-boat commander in the Kriegsmarine of Nazi Germany in World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Prior to taking command of U-575, Heydemann made two war patrols as watch officer on board U-69 under the command of Kapitänleutnant Jost Metzler.

Günther Heydemann
Born	(1914-01-11)11 January 1914 Greifswald, German Empire
Died	2 January 1986(1986-01-02) (aged 71) Hamburg-Wedel, West Germany
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Branch	Kriegsmarine
Years of service	1933–1945
Rank	Kapitänleutnant
Unit	SSS Gorch Fock cruiser Karlsruhe Schlesien Schleswig-Holstein
Commands	U-575
Battles / wars	Battle of the Atlantic
Awards	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

World War II

From 15 September to 2 October 1941, Heydemann, as commander of U-575, was part of Wolfpack Brandenburg operating southeast of Greenland in the North Atlantic. On 2 October, Heydemann sank Tuva of 4,652 gross register tons (GRT).^[1] On U-575's third war patrol which was part of the second wave of Operation Drumbeat, also referred to as the Second Happy Time, Heydemann was given a special task and did not sink any ships.^[2] On U-575's fourth war patrol which was part of the fifth wave of Operation Drumbeat, Heydemann sank Robin Hood of 6,887 GRT on 16 April 1942.^[3][4]

Summary of career

As commander of U-575 Günther Heydmann is credited with the sinking of eight ships for a total of 48,920 gross register tons (GRT).

Awards

• Wehrmacht Long Service Award 4th Class (1 April 1937)^[5]
• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class (17 September 1939)^[5]
  • 1st Class (12 April 1941)^[5]
• U-boat War Badge (1939) (12 April 1941)^[5]
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 3 July 1943 Kapitänleutnant and commander of U-575^[6][7]