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Balke, Diethelm (U-991)

Date of birth:
September 22nd, 1919 (Bochum/Westfalen)
Date of death:
May 8th, 2002
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Crew 37b
Promotions:
09.10.1937: Offiziersanwärter
28.06.1938: Seekadett
01.04.1939: Fähnrich zur See
01.03.1940: Oberfähnrich zur See
01.05.1940: Leutnant zur See
01.04.1942: Oberleutnant zur See
01.01.1945: Kapitänleutnant

Career:
00.00.1940: Leutnant zur See, Beobachter, Kü.Fl.Gr. 606
00.00.1941: Leutnant zur See, Beobachter, 3. Staffel, Aufkl.Gr. 123
00.00.1942: Oberleutnant zur See, Beobachter, Ausbildungsleiter Erg.-Staffel, Kampfgeschwader 6
29.07.1943-09.05.1945: Kdt, U-991: 1 patrol (73 days)
29.07.1943-31.08.1944: U-991 as training ship, 5. Unterseebootsflottille
01.09.1944-08.05.1945: U-991 in active service, 11. Unterseebootsflottille
15.10.1944-26.12.1944: 1st patrol in North Atlantic from Kristiansand to Bergen, Norway
09.05.1945: U-991 surrendered to the Allies
02.06.1945: gathered in Scapa Flow then Loch Ryan
11.12.1945: torpedoed by UK submarine HMS Tantivy in 56° 10′ N, 10° 05′ O

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant zur See (Sub-lieutenant)
Awarded on:
1941
Flugzeugbeobachterabzeichen
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant zur See (Sub-lieutenant)
Awarded on:
1941
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant zur See
Awarded on:
May 3rd, 1943
U-boot Kriegsabzeichen (ohne Brillianten)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant zur See
Awarded on:
1943
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant zur See
Unit:
Kommandant, "U 991", 11. Unterseebootsflottille, Kriegsmarine
Awarded on:
December 29th, 1944
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold

Sources

Photos