Johannes Lohs

Infobox Military Person
name=Johannes Lohs
lived=June 24, 1889 - August 14, 1918
placeofbirth=Einsiedel, Saxony
placeofdeath=Southern Ireland


caption=
nickname=
allegiance=German Empire
serviceyears=1909 - 1918
rank=Oberleutnant zur See
branch=Kaiserliche Marine
commands=UC-75, Mar 17 1917 – Jan 30 1918
UB-57, Jan 2 1918 – Aug 14 1918
unit=
battles=Battle of the Atlantic (1914-1918)
awards=Iron Cross 1st class
Pour le Mérite
relations=
laterwork=
Lieutenant junior grade Johannes Lohs (June 24, 1889 - August 14, 1918) was a successful and highly decorated German U-boat commander in the Kaiserliche Marine during World War I.

In his time as commander of UC-75 and UB-57 he succeeded in sinking several ships for a total tonnage of approximately GRT|165.000|first=yes.

Early life

"Johannes Lohs" was born June 24, 1889 at Einsiedel, Saxony. He was son of plant owner "Oswald Lohs". He first went to school in his home village and later a grammar school in Chemnitz.

He entered the Kaiserliche Marine on April 1, 1909 and had several commands as Fähnrich zur See and served from October 1, 1912 on the cruiser Strasburg on which he saw half of the world.

World War I

"Lohs" saw action for the very first time on August 28, 1914 and was promoted Leutnant zur See in the autumn of 1915. He then moved to U-Bootschule for a period, but got his first U-boat command on UC-75 on the March 17, 1917, on which he did 9 patrols off the British coast. On January 2, 1918 he became Commanding officer of the UB-57, taking over the command of this boat from another legendary U-boat commander, Otto Steinbrinck. "Lohs" had also some very good ideas on U-boat warfare and new tactics and on April 24, 1918 he received the Pour le Mérite.

On August 3, 1918 he sailed from Zeebrugge for the last time. The last contact he made with the base was on the evening of the August 14, as UB-57 was homeward bound roughly in the area of the Sandiette Bank, east of the Straits of Dover. Nothing more was heard. UB-57 is believed to have run onto a mine. "Lohs"' body washed up on shore a week later and he is buried in the military cemetery at Vlissingen.

On October 4, 1937 the 3. Unterseebootsflottille was named after him at Kiel.

References

*Grogan, John. [http://www.gue.com/Exploration/Wreck/q3_2c.htm Johann Lohs: The Channel Hunter]