Ernst Kals


Ernst Kals was a Kapitän zur See with the Kriegsmarine during World War II. He commanded the Type IXC U-boat on five patrols, and sank twenty ships, for a total of 145,656 tons of Allied shipping. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.

Career

Kals joined the Reichsmarine in 1924. In October 1940, after a period of service on torpedo boats and light cruisers, he transferred to the Ubootwaffe. After one patrol on under the command of Nicolai Clausen as commander in training, he took command of in June 1941. He was awarded the Knight's Cross in September 1941.
In April 1942, Kals, in U-130, bombarded the Allied petroleum tank farm on Curaçao, in the Netherlands Antilles. He went on to sink a total of 20 ships on five patrols, for a total of 145,656 tons of Allied shipping. In five minutes he sank three United States troopships, the, and.
In January 1943 Kals became commander of the 2nd U-boat Flotilla, based in Lorient, France. Promoted to Kapitän zur See in September 1944, he remained in this position until the end of the war.

Later life

Kals was held in French captivity from May 1945 to January 1948. He died at Emden in 1979 at the age of 74.

Summary of career

Ships attacked

As commander of Ernst Kals reportedly sank 17 merchant ships for a total of, three auxiliary warships for a total of and damaged one further ship of.
DateName of shipFlagTonnageFate
10 December 1941Kirnwood3,829Sunk
10 December 1941Kurdistan5,844Sunk
10 December 1941Star of Luxor5,298Sunk
13 January 1942Friar Rock5,427Sunk
13 January 1942Frisco1,582Sunk
21 January 1942Alexander Høegh8,248Sunk
25 January 1942Varanger9,305Sunk
27 January 1942Francis E. Powell7,096Sunk
27 January 1942Halo6,986Damaged
11 April 1942Grenanger5,393Sunk
11 April 1942Esso Boston7,699Sunk
25 July 1942Tankexpress10,095Sunk
27 July 1942Elmwood7,167Sunk
30 July 1942Danmark8,391Sunk
9 August 1942Malmanger7,078Sunk
11 August 1942Mirlo7,455Sunk
25 August 1942Viking Star6,445Sunk
26 August 1942Beechwood4,897Sunk
12 November 19429,360Sunk
12 November 194212,479Sunk
12 November 194212,568Sunk

Awards