Introduction
Gunter Jahn (27 September 1910 – 12 April 1992) was German U-boat commander during World War II. He was born in Hamburg, Germany and began his naval career in April 1931 as a Seekadett. He first served on the light cruiser Nürnberg for more than two years, including nine patrols in the first year of the war.
In March 1941 Jahn joined the U-boat force and his first patrol were on board U-98 in September 1941. Later in November he commissioned U-596. On his second patrol he broke through the Strait of Gibraltar and went on to become one of the most successful U-boat commanders in the Mediterranean Sea. In July 1943 he left the boat and became the commander of the 29th U-boat Flotilla. In September 1944 he fell into French captivity, where he spent nearly two years.
Summary of career
Awards
- Wehrmacht Long Service Award 4th Class (2 October 1936)
- Iron Cross (1939)
- 2nd Class (18 October 1939)
- 1st Class (6 October 1942)
- Medaille zur Erinnerung an die Heimkerhr des Memllandes (20 December 1939)
- U-boat War Badge (1939) (6 October 1942)
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 30 April 1943 as Kapitänleutnant and commander of U-596
Ships attacked
| Date | Name | Nationality | Convoy | Tonnage (GRT) |
Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 August 1942 | Suecia |  Sweden |
SC-95 | 4,966 | Sunk |
| 20 September 1942 | Empire Hartebeeste |  United Kingdom |
SC-100 | 5,676 | Sunk |
| 7 February 1943 | HMS LCI (L) 162 |  Royal Navy |
246 | Sunk | |
| 9 March 1943 | Empire Standard | United Kingdom |
KMS-10 | 7,047 | Damaged |
| 30 March 1943 | Fort Norman | United Kingdom |
KMS-10 | 7,133 | Damaged |
| 30 March 1943 | Fort a la Corne | United Kingdom |
ET-16 | 7,133 | Sunk |
| 30 March 1943 | Hallanger |  Norway |
ET-16 | 9,551 | Sunk |