Otto Hansen
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| Birth name | Otto Alexander Hansen |
| Birth date | 23 April 1918 |
| Place of birth | Kiel, Province of Schleswig-Holstein, Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire |
| Death date | ⚔ 25 February 1944 (aged 25) |
| Place of death | Norwegian Sea (Nordmeer) |
| Allegiance | File:Flag of the NSDAP (1920–1945).svg National Socialist Germany |
| Service/branch | File:War Ensign of Germany (Reichskriegsflagge) 1938-1945.png Kriegsmarine |
| Years of service | 1937–1944 |
| Rank | Oberleutnant zur See |
| Commands held | U 269, U 601 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Iron Cross |
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Otto Alexander Hansen (23 April 1918 – 25 February 1944) was a German naval officer, finally Oberleutnant zur See (1st Lieutenant at Sea) and U-boat commandant (U-Boot-Kommandant) of the Kriegsmarine in World War Two. He must not be confused with Oberst of the Luftwaffe Otto Hansen.[1]
Military career
After his Abitur, Hansen joined the Kriegsmarine as an officer candidate on 3 April 1937 (Crew 37a). He received his mandatory naval training (II. Schiffsstammabteilung der Ostsee, Stralsund) and on training ships like the sailer "Gorch Fock" and the cruiser "Emden". He then attended the Naval School (Marineschule, Flensburg-Mürwik) in 1938, was transferred on board the heavy crusier "Admiral Hipper" and in October 1939 back to the "Emden". In 1940 and 1941, he served as a watch officer with the minesweeping 12. Minensuchflottille and 3. Minensuchflottille.
He then received many training courses for a future U-Boot officer (U-Wachoffizierslehrgang, 1. U-Lehrdivision, Pillau; Torpedolehrgang für U-Torpedooffiziere, Torpedoschule, Flensburg-Mürwik; Nachrichtenlehrgang für U-Wachoffiziere, Nachrichtenschule, Flensburg-Mürwik; Artillerielehrgang für U-Wachoffiziere, Schiffsartillerieschule, Kiel-Wik). From May 1942 to April 1943, he was first watch officer (I.WO) on U 435, was deemed to become U-Boot-Kommandant (U-Lehrgang, 2. U-Ausbildungsabteilung, Neustadt; Kommandanten-Lehrgang. 47. Kommandanten-Schießlehrgang, 24. U-Flottille, Memel) and took command of U 269 (in representation) from June to September 1943. He then served with the 11. U-Flottille in Bergen (Norway) and became Kommandant of U 601[2] (13. U-Flottille) on 29 November 1943 replacing Peter Ottmar Grau. U-601 took part in five wolfpacks, namely:
- Boreas (19 November – 6 December 1942)
- Wiking (20 September – 3 October 1943)
- Eisenbart (19 December 1943 – 5 January 1944)
- Isegrim (16 – 27 January 1944)
- Werwolf (27 January – 1 February 1944)
Death
U 601 was sunk during an attack on Convoy JW 57[3] by depth charges in the Arctic Ocean on 25 February 1944 North west of Narvik, Norway by a Royal Air Force "Consolidated PBY Catalina" at position 70°26′N 12°40′E. She was lost with all 51 hands. The crew of the "Catalina" reported c. 10 German survivors in the water but none of the British Royal Navy ships turned in order to attempt a rescue, fearing further German submarine attacks.
Promotions
- 3.4.1937 Offiziersanwärter (Officer Candidate)
- 21.9.1937 Seekadett (Cadet at Sea)
- 1.5.1938 Fähnrich zur See (Officer Cadet)
- 1.7.1939 Oberfähnrich zur See (Senior Officer Cadet)
- 1.8.1939 Leutnant zur See (2nd Lieutenant at Sea)
- 1.9.1941 Oberleutnant zur See (1st Lieutenant at Sea)
Awards and decorations
- Iron Cross (1939), 2nd and 1st Class
- EK II in December 1940
- EK I in October 1942
- Minesweeper War Badge (Kriegsabzeichen für Minensuch-, U-Jagd- und Sicherungsverbände) in June 1941
- U-Boat Badge 1939 (U-Boot-Kriegsabzeichen) on 29 September 1942[4]
References
- ↑ Leutnant der Reserve Otto Hansen, member of the Fliegertruppe in WWI, scored an aerial victory in Feldflieger-Abteilung 62 (FFA 62) in July 1915. For this he received the Iron Cross, 1st Class in August 1915, but now he served in Feldflieger-Abteilung 5 (FFA 5). For the victory he received the Ehrenbecher on 24 December 1915 as well as the Saxon Albrechts-Orden, Knight 2nd Class with Swords (SA3b⚔/AR2⚔). He also served with the Luftwaffe of the Wehrmacht, was promoted to Oberstleutnant on 1 October 1939 (at LKS Dresden) and to Oberst (Tr.O.) on 1 June 1944 (Annahmestelle 2 für Offizierbewerber der Luftwaffe). On 31 March 1945, now in the Flieger-Ersatz-Bataillon V, he was released from active military service.
- ↑ U 601
- ↑ Convoy JW 57 was an Arctic convoy sent from Great Britain by the Western Allies to aid the Soviet Union during World War II. It sailed in February 1944, reaching the Soviet northern ports at the end of the month. All ships arrived safely. For several days JW 57 was attacked by a German U-boat force; JW 57 was opposed by a U-boat force of 14 boats, arranged in two patrol lines code-named Werewolf (10 boats) and Hartmut (4 boats). One escort vessel was sunk (destroyer HMS Mahratta), and two U-boats (U 713 on 24 February 1944 and U 601 on 25 February 1944) were destroyed in counter-measures, during this operation.
- ↑ Otto Hansen, ubootarchiv.de (Archive)
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