The Men - U-boat Commanders

Kurt Freiwald

Kapitän zur See (Crew 25)


Successes
5 ships sunk, total tonnage 35,067 GRT

Born  29 Oct 1906 Berlin-Schöneberg
Died  12 Dec 1975(69)Marburg-Lahn, Germany

Ranks

1 Apr 1925 Offiziersanwärter
1 Apr 1927 Fähnrich zur See
1 Jun 1928 Oberfähnrich zur See
1 Oct 1929 Leutnant zur See
1 Jul 1931 Oberleutnant zur See
1 Jul 1935 Kapitänleutnant
1 Nov 1939 Korvettenkapitän
1 Aug 1943 Fregattenkapitän
1 Apr 1945 Kapitän zur See

Decorations

6 Jun 1939 Spanish Cross in Bronze with Swords
1943 War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords
1944 Iron Cross 2nd Class
1944 U-boat War Badge 1939
1944 Iron Cross 1st Class

U-boat Commands

U-boatFromTo
U-21 18 Jul 1935 3 Oct 1937   No war patrols 
U-7 18 Jul 1935 3 Oct 1937   No war patrols 
U-33 22 Nov 1936 20 Dec 1936   No war patrols 
U-33 3 Jun 1937 25 Jul 1937   No war patrols 
U-181 1 Nov 1943 5 May 1945   2 patrols (225 days) 

After the war he joined the post-war German Navy, Bundesmarine, and later retired as Flottillenadmiral (e. Commodore or Rear Admiral).

Special thanks to Mr. Fernando Almeida for details on date of death and post-war career.

Patrol info for Kurt Freiwald

 U-boat Departure Arrival  
1. U-181 16 Mar 1944  Bordeaux  8 Aug 1944  Penang  Patrol 1,146 days
2. U-181 23 Sep 1944  Singapore  25 Sep 1944  Batavia   3 days
3. U-181 19 Oct 1944  Batavia  5 Jan 1945  Batavia  Patrol 2,79 days
4. U-181 14 Jan 1945  Batavia  16 Jan 1945  Singapore   3 days
2 patrols, 225 days at sea

Ships hit by Kurt Freiwald

Date U-boat Name of ship Tons Nat. Convoy
1 May 1944U-181 Janeta5,312br
19 Jun 1944U-181 Garoet7,118nl
15 Jul 1944U-181 Tanda7,174br
19 Jul 1944U-181 King Frederick5,265br
2 Nov 1944U-181 Fort Lee10,198am
 35,067

5 ships sunk (35,067 tons).

Legend
We have a picture of this vessel.


About ranks and decorations
Special thanks to Fernando Almeida for data on ranks and decorations.

Media links


Lifeboat #6
Kevin Gomm


amazon.co.uk
(£ 13.60)


German U-boat Commanders of World War II
Busch, Rainer and Röll, Hans-Joachim

Listing of all U-boat commanders


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