German submarine U-30 (1936)

Unterseeboot 30, or U-30, was a German Type VIIA submarine used in World War II. She was laid down on January 24 1936 and commissioned October 8 1936.

During her career "U-30" was involved in 8 patrols, under several flotilles. U-30 was very successful, sinking 16 ships, totalling GRT|86,165|metric, and one auxiliary warships totalling GRT|325|metric. "U-30" also damaged one ship totalling GRT|5,642|metric, and damaged the battleship HMS Barham.

U-30's career began ingloriously, when on September 3 1939 she sank the 13,581 ton passenger ship Athenia, the first ship sunk in World War II. The commander, Fritz-Julius Lemp almost had his career wrecked, but pleaded it was a genuine error. Mistaking her for an Armed Merchant Cruiser or AMC, which he claimed was zig-zagging.

Fate

"U-30" was used in the last months of World War II as a range boat. It was scuttled May 4, 1945 in the Kupfermühlen Bay and the wreck was later broken up in 1948.

Commanders

*Oct, 1936 - 31 Oct, 1938 - Hans Cohausz
*15 Feb, 1938 - 17 Aug, 1938 - Hans Pauckstadt
*Nov, 1938 - Sep, 1940 - Kptlt. Fritz-Julius Lemp (Knights Cross)
*Sep, 1940 - 31 Mar, 1941 - Robert Prützmann
*1 Apr, 1941 - Apr, 1941 - Paul-Karl Loeser
*Apr, 1941 - 22 Apr, 1941 - Hubertus Purkhold
*23 Apr, 1941 - 9 Mar, 1942 - Oblt. Kurt Baberg
*10 Mar, 1942 - 4 Oct, 1942 - Oblt. Hermann Bauer
*5 Oct, 1942 - 16 Dec, 1942 - Franz Saar
*May, 1943 - 1 Dec, 1943 - Oblt. Ernst Fischer
*2 Dec, 1943 - 14 Dec, 1944 - Oblt. Ludwig Fabricius
*17 Jan, 1945 - 23 Jan, 1945 - Oblt. Günther Schimmel

References

* [http://www.uboat.net/boats/u30.htm uboat.net webpage for "U-30"]
* [http://www.ubootwaffe.net/ops/boat.cgi?boat=30 ubootwaffe.net webpage about "U-30"]
* [http://www.u-boot-archiv.de/dieboote/u0030.html u-boot-archiv.de webpage for "U-30"]
*Bishop, C. "Kriegsmarine U-Boats, 1939-45". Amber Books, 2006.