Hans Eckermann

Fregattenkapitän (Crew 25)

Successes
1 ship sunk, total tonnage 5,258 GRT

Born	30 May 1905		Berlin-Schöneberg
Died	30 Mar 1985	(79)	Hamburg, Germany

Ranks

1 Apr 1925		Offiziersanwärter
16 Nov 1925		Seekadett
1 Apr 1927		Fähnrich zur See
1 Jun 1928		Oberfähnrich zur See
1 Oct 1929		Leutnant zur See
1 Jul 1931		Oberleutnant zur See
1 Sep 1935		Kapitänleutnant
1 Jan 1940		Korvettenkapitän
1 Mar 1944		Fregattenkapitän

Decorations

19 Mar 1941		Iron Cross 2nd Class
26 Apr 1941		U-boat War Badge 1939

U-boat Commands

U-boat	From	To
U-20	1 Feb 1936	30 Sep 1937	No war patrols
UA	1 Nov 1940	14 Feb 1942	4 patrols (193 days)

Hans Christian Franz Eckermann joined the Reichsmarine (German Navy) in 1925. He commanded the small type IIB U-boat U-20 from 1 Feb 1936 to 30 Sep 1937. In Oct 1937 Eckermann became the first commander of the Lohs Flotilla, later renamed the 3rd Flotilla, remaining there until Dec 1939. He then took over the 1st Flotilla from Jan to Oct 1940.

Eckermann took command of U-A, originally built for the Turkish navy, on 1 Nov 1940, taking the boat on five patrols totalling almost 200 days at sea, and sinking one ship. He left the boat on 14 Feb 1942 to take command of the 8th (Training) Flotilla holding the post until Jan 1943. Until the end of the war he served in several staff positions, including 11 months with U-boat command Norway.

Following the German surrender Eckermann was briefly detained by the Allies, being released on 20 July 1945.

Sources

Busch, R & Röll, H-J. (1998). German U-boat commanders of World War II.

Patrol info for Hans Eckermann

	U-boat	Departure		Arrival
1.	UA	25 Feb 1941	Kiel	18 Mar 1941	Lorient	Patrol 1,	22 days
2.	UA	14 Apr 1941	Lorient	26 Apr 1941	Lorient	Patrol 2,	13 days
3.	UA	3 May 1941	Lorient	30 Jul 1941	Lorient	Patrol 3,	89 days
4.	UA	7 Oct 1941	Lorient	9 Oct 1941	Lorient	Patrol 4,	3 days
5.	UA	21 Oct 1941	Lorient	25 Dec 1941	Lorient	Patrol 4,	66 days
4 patrols, 193 days at sea