Rolf Mützelburg


Rolf Mützelburg was a German U-boat commander during World War II and a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves of Nazi Germany. Mützelburg died on active service on 11 September 1942 following an accident at sea.

Career

Mützelburg joined the Reichsmarine of the Weimar Republic on 1 April 1932 as member of "Crew 32". After spending two years on minesweepers, in October 1939 he joined the U-boat arm. He spent five months commanding the school boat from June to November 1940 as part of 21st U-boat Flotilla, receiving his first combat experience aboard under Joachim Schepke. He commissioned into 1st U-boat Flotilla in February 1941. On his eight patrols in the Atlantic, the US east coast, and the Caribbean Sea, he sank 19 ships for a total of, and damaged three more.
Mützelburg died on 11 September 1942 in a freak accident. He was swimming in the Atlantic south-west of the Azores, and dove from the conning tower, but struck the deck head-first when the U-boat suddenly lurched in the swell. The supply U-boat arrived the next day with a doctor on board, but too late, and Mützelburg was buried at sea on 12 September 1942.

Summary of career

Ships attacked


DateShipNationalityGRTConvoyFate
24 June 1941Kinross4,956OB-336Sunk
24 June 1941Soløy4,402HX-133Sunk
27 July 1941Hawkinge2,475OG-69Sunk
28 July 1941Lapland1,330OG-69Sunk
28 July 1941Norita1,516OG-69Sunk
26 September 19413,442HG-73Sunk
26 September 1941Lapwing1,348HG-73Sunk
26 September 1941Varangberg2,842HG-73Sunk
3 November 1941Empire Gemsbuck5,626SC-52Sunk
3 November 1941Everoja4,830SC-52Sunk
15 January 1942Catalina632Sunk
17 January 1942Octavian1,345Sunk
21 January 1942North Gaspe888Damaged
10 April 1942San Delfino8,072Sunk
11 April 1942Harry F. Sinclair, Jr.6,151Damaged
12 April 1942Stanvac Melbourne10,013Damaged
14 April 1942Empire Thrush6,160Sunk
26 June 1942Pedrinhas3,666Sunk
26 June 19425,216Sunk
28 June 1942Sam Houston7,176Sunk
9 July 1942Cape Verde6,914Sunk
11 July 1942Stanvac Palembang10,013Sunk

Awards