11 Facts About Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock

Fregattenkapitan Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock was a submarine commander in the Kriegsmarine of Nazi Germany during World War II.

Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock commanded four U-boats, including U-96, a Type VIIC U-boat, which gained widespread recognition when one of its patrols was documented and publicized by an accompanying member of a propaganda company Lothar-Gunther Buchheim.

Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock was born on 11 December 1911 in Bremen, in what was then the German Empire.

Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock joined the Reichsmarine of the Weimar Republic in April 1931, as an Officer Candidate, and received his basic training with the Naval Infantry.

Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock was promoted to Sea Cadet in October 1931 and attended Navy Officer Training from March 1932 to January 1933.

Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock was then advanced to the rank of Midshipman and spent the next two years performing at-sea training.

Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock was advanced to Senior Midshipman in January 1935.

Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock reported to the ship in February 1937, having received a promotion to Senior Lieutenant one month earlier.

Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock served on the ship for twenty six months before applying to join the German Navy's submarine branch.

Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock transferred to the U-boat arm of the German Navy in April 1939.

Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock left U-96 in March 1942 to be promoted to Korvettenkapitan and appointed commander of the 9th U-boat Flotilla, stationed in Brest.