Hans Rose

Hans Rose (April 18, 1885 – December 6, 1969) was one of the most successful and highly decorated German U-boat commanders in the Kaiserliche Marine during World War I. He sank 79 ships for a total of 213,987 gross register tons (GRT) during the war.

Hans Rose
Hans Rose before World War I
Born15 April 1885
Berlin-Charlottenburg
Died6 December 1969(1969-12-06) (aged 84)
Essen
Allegiance German Empire
 Nazi Germany
Service/branch Imperial German Navy
 Kriegsmarine
Rank Fregattenkapitän
Commands heldU-2
U-53, April 22, 1917 – August 17, 1918
Battles/warsU-boat Campaign (World War I)
AwardsPour le Mérite

World War I

In September 1916, Rose brought U-53 to Newport, Rhode Island, to the surprise of American authorities. He proceeded to dock and then invite American naval officers and their wives aboard to view his vessel. After delivering a message to the German Ambassador he proceeded offshore to the lightship Nantucket. He sent five or six ships to the bottom, after questioning their captains on their cargo and ordering the abandonment of their ships.

U-53

On March 11, 1917, Rose, still in command of U-53, torpedoed and sank the 6705 ton Cunard Liner RMS Folia. On December 6, 1917, Rose torpedoed and sank USS Jacob Jones, the first American destroyer lost in the First World War. The torpedo hit Jacob Jones at 3,000 yards (2,700 m), the longest successful torpedo shot on record at the time. In all, he sank 81 ships totalling 220,892 gross register tons (GRT) (excluding Jacob Jones) and damaged another nine.[1]

On December 20, 1917. Rose was awarded the Pour le Mérite. He was also awarded the Ritterkreuz des Hohenzollerschen Hausordens mit Schwertern (Knights Cross of the Hohenzollern House Order with Swords).

World War II

Hans Rose was in command of 1. Unterseeboots-Ausbildungsabteilung (U-boat training unit) from February to May 1940.

References
  1. "Hans Rose". uboat.net.
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