POEL Gustav Poel, Gustav Artur Eduard Johann *August 2nd, 1917 (Hamburg, Germany) +January 16th, 2009 (Hamburg/Lowersaxony, Germany) Knights Cross: March 21st, 1944 As: Käpitanleutnant Kommandant, "U 413", 1. Unterseebootsflottille Awarded for sinking 5 ships (with 35625 GRT), among which included the British destroyer HMS Warwick. After graduating from high school in Hanover, Gustav Poel joined the German Navy on 3 April 1936 (Olympic crew) as an officer candidate. He received his training on the sailing training ship Gorch Fock and the light cruiser Emden. On 10 September 1936 he was promoted to sea cadet, on 1 May 1937 after completing the ensign course at the Mürwik Naval School he was promoted to ensign at sea and on 1 July 1938 to senior ensign at sea. During the Spanish Civil War, he served for six months on the torpedo boat Tiger, which was in Spanish waters at the time. With his promotion to lieutenant at sea on 1 October 1938, he transferred to the U-boat fleet, where he initially served as second watch officer on U 27 after general U-boat training. From May 1939 to June 1940 he served as second watch officer on U 37. After a year in staff positions, during which he was promoted to Oberleutnant zur See on 1 October 1940 and worked for the commander of the U-boats in Kiel and the German liaison officer to the Italian leader of the U-boats in Bordeaux, he became a tactics instructor at the 1941th U-Flotilla in June 25. On 3 June 1942 he became commander of the U-boat U 413. On 1 February 1943 he was promoted to Kapitänleutnant. With U 413 he was at sea for a total of 290 days during five enemy cruises. Along with four other ships, he sank the British destroyer HMS Warwick (D20) on 1944 February 25. On 16 April 1944 he became a company commander at the Mürwik Naval School. On 26 January 1945 he joined the staff of the Commanding Admiral of the U-boats Hans-Georg von Friedeburg. There he was taken prisoner on 9 May 1945. Postwar signed photo measuring 3 ½” x 5 ½” mounted on a yellow card backdrop plus signed card measuring 5 ½” x 4” Price: $30.00 Please contact us before ordering to confirm availability and shipping costs. Buy now with your credit card other ways to buy