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Ulrich Folkers
File:File:Ulrich Folkers.jpg
Born (1915-03-06)6 March 1915
Died 6 May 1943(1943-05-06) (aged 28)
Place of birth Kiel
Place of death North Atlantic
52°30′N 45°20′W / 52.5°N 45.333°W / 52.5; -45.333
Allegiance Flag of German Reich (1935–1945) Nazi Germany
Service/branch War Ensign of Germany 1938-1945 Kriegsmarine
Years of service 1934–1943
Rank Kapitänleutnant
Unit SSS Gorch Fock
cruiser Emden
destroyer Bruno Heinemann
U-37
Commands held U-125
Battles/wars

World War II

Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Ulrich Folkers (6 March 1915 in Kiel – killed in action 6 May 1943 in the North Atlantic) was a German U-boat commander in World War II and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German language: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. U-125 was fatally damaged at 52°30′N 45°20′W / 52.5°N 45.333°W / 52.5; -45.333 by the British destroyer HMS Oribi and gunfire from the British corvette HMS Snowflake.

The crew of U-125 scuttled their boat with 5 explosive charges while almost alongside the HMS Snowflake and waited in the water to be rescued. Another corvette HMS Sunflower did reach the scene about this time. The commander of the corvette radioed the escort commander, Robert Sherwood, RN, in HMS Tay but was given the reply:

"Not approved to pick up survivors"

The corvettes HMS Sunflower and HMS Snowflake then turned back to protect the convoy leaving the men in the water. Kptlt. Folkers and his crew of 54 men died during that night.

Summary of career[]

Ships attacked[]

As commander of U-125, Folkers is credited with the sinking of 17 merchant ships totalling 82,873 gross register tons (GRT).

Date[1] Name Nationality Tonnage
(GRT)
Fate
26 January 1942 West Ivis US flag 48 stars USA 5,666 Sunk
23 April 1942 Lammot Du Pont US flag 48 stars USA 5,102 Sunk
3 May 1942 San Rafael Flag of Dominica Dominica 1,973 Sunk
4 May 1942 Tuscaloosa City US flag 48 stars USA 5,687 Sunk
6 May 1942 Empire Buffalo Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom United Kingdom 6,404 Sunk
6 May 1942 Green Island US flag 48 stars USA 1,946 Sunk
9 May 1942 Calgarolite Canadian Red Ensign 1921-1957 Canada 11,941 Sunk
14 May 1942 Comayagua Flag of Honduras Honduras 2,493 Sunk
18 May 1942 Mercury Sun US flag 48 stars USA 8,893 Sunk
18 May 1942 William J. Salman US flag 48 stars USA 2,616 Sunk
1 September 1942 Ilorin Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom United Kingdom 815 Sunk
23 September 1942 Bruyère Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom United Kingdom 5,335 Sunk
29 September 1942 Baron Ogilvy Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom United Kingdom 3,391 Sunk
30 September 1942 Empire Avocet Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom United Kingdom 6,015 Sunk
30 September 1942 Kumsang Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom United Kingdom 5,447 Sunk
8 October 1942 Glendene Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom United Kingdom 4,412 Sunk
4 May 1943 Lorient Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom United Kingdom 4,737 Sunk

Awards[]

Reference in the Wehrmachtbericht[]

Date Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording Direct English translation
Friday, 22 May 1942 Bei den Erfolgen in amerikanischen Gewässern haben sich Boote unter Führung der Kapitänleutnante Thurmann, Würdemann und Folkers besonders ausgezeichnet.[5] Boats under the commands of the Kapitänleutnants Thurmann, Würdemann und Folkers distinguished themselves in the success in the American Waters.

References[]

Citations
  1. "Ships hit by U-125 - U-boat Successes - German U-boats - uboat.net". uboat.net. http://uboat.net/boats/successes/u125.html. Retrieved 2009-11-30. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 Busch and Röll 2003, p. 338.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Busch and Röll 2003, p. 339.
  4. Scherzer 2007, p. 314.
  5. Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939-1945 Band 2, p. 138.
Bibliography
  • Busch, Rainer & Röll, Hans-Joachim (2003). Der U-Boot-Krieg 1939-1945 - Die Ritterkreuzträger der U-Boot-Waffe von September 1939 bis Mai 1945 (in German). Hamburg, Berlin, Bonn Germany: Verlag E.S. Mittler & Sohn. ISBN 3-8132-0515-0.
  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000). Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945. Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
  • Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939-1945 Band 2, 1. Januar 1942 bis 31. Dezember 1943 (in German). München: Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag GmbH & Co. KG, 1985. ISBN 3-423-05944-3.

External links[]


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