Hans Heidtmann
Hans Heidtmann (8 August 1914 – 5 April 1976) was a German U-boat commander in World War II and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross of Nazi Germany
Hans Heidtmann | |
|---|---|
| Born | 8 August 1914 |
| Died | 5 April 1976 (aged 61) |
| Allegiance | Nazi Germany West Germany |
| Service/ | Kriegsmarine German Navy |
| Years of service | 1934–1942 1958–1972 |
| Rank | Kapitänleutnant (Kriegsmarine) Kapitän zur See (Bundesmarine) |
| Commands held | U-14 U-2 U-559 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
U-559 under the command of Heidtmann came under attack by several British warships and an aircraft on 30 October 1942. Fatally damaged and forced to the surface, the U-boat was abandoned after scuttling herself in the Mediterranean. A British boarding party, consisting of Lieutenant Francis Anthony Blair Fasson, Able Seaman Colin Grazier, and Canteen Assistant Tommy Brown, from destroyer HMS Petard recovered the cryptographic materials, but the U-boat sank before the Enigma cipher machine could be brought out. Eight German crewmen and two British seamen were lost, and 37 German survivors were taken prisoner of war.