24 Facts About Heinrich Bleichrodt

Heinrich Bleichrodt was a German U-boat commander during the Second World War.

Heinrich Bleichrodt was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves of Nazi Germany.

Heinrich Bleichrodt earned the nickname "Ajax" during his time with the U-boats.

Heinrich Bleichrodt was born in Berga, Kyffhauser on 21 October 1909.

Heinrich Bleichrodt was commissioned an ensign on 1 April 1935, promoted to sub-lieutenant on 1 January 1937 and to Lieutenant on 1 October 1939.

Heinrich Bleichrodt was then given command of his own U-boat, U-48 on 4 September 1940.

Unknown to Heinrich Bleichrodt, there were 90 children on board the liner being evacuated to Canada under the Children's Overseas Reception Board's initiative in order to escape the effects of the Blitz.

The sinking was controversial, but the ship was not marked as being an evacuation transport, and it is unlikely that Heinrich Bleichrodt would have been aware that children were amongst the passengers.

Heinrich Bleichrodt was limited in what aid he could have provided even if he had been aware.

Heinrich Bleichrodt had been awarded the U-boat War Badge 1939 on 24 September, and on his arrival in port on 25 September he received the Iron Cross 1st Class.

Three days before returning, U-48 was radioed and Heinrich Bleichrodt was informed that he was to be awarded the Knight's Cross.

Heinrich Bleichrodt refused to wear it until his IWO Oberleutnant zur See Reinhard 'Teddy' Suhren was awarded one.

Heinrich Bleichrodt pointed out that Suhren had overseen all surface shooting on previous missions and was entitled.

Heinrich Bleichrodt left U-48 on 16 December 1940 and briefly took command of U-67 on 22 January 1941 until 4 June 1941.

Heinrich Bleichrodt did not carry out any war cruises before being moved to take command of U-109 on 5 June 1941.

Heinrich Bleichrodt carried out six patrols with her, not achieving the same degree of success he had had with U-48, but still sinking 13 ships for a total of some 80,000 tons.

Heinrich Bleichrodt received the Oak Leaves to his Knight's Cross on 23 September 1942, followed by the U-boat War Badge with Diamonds in October.

Heinrich Bleichrodt was promoted to Korvettenkapitan on 1 November 1943.

Heinrich Bleichrodt radioed U-boat headquarters to request an immediate return to port, but this was initially denied.

Heinrich Bleichrodt was transferred to a training job with the 27th U-boat Flotilla, spending five months there followed by a year in the 2nd ULD as tactical instructor for the officers.

Heinrich Bleichrodt received a final promotion to Korvettenkapitan on 1 November 1943, and in July 1944 he was appointed as Chief of the 22nd U-boat Flotilla, a post he held until the end of the war.

Heinrich Bleichrodt was accused of sinking the ship with the full knowledge that it had been transporting evacuees.

Heinrich Bleichrodt reaffirmed the German position that there was no way that he or the crew of the submarine could have known who was on board.

Heinrich Bleichrodt refused to apologise to the survivors, despite several crew members of U-48, including the radio operator, expressing their shock and regret once the facts became known.