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Forstner, Freiherr von, Siegfried (U 402)

Date of birth:
September 19th, 1910 (Hanover, Germany)
Date of death:
October 22nd, 1943 (Atlantic Ocean)
Buried on:
German Submarines Memorial
Grave: U 402.
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Promotions:
1 Apr 1930 Offiziersanwärter
10 Oct 1930 Seekadett
1 Jan 1932 Fähnrich zur See
1 Apr 1934 Oberfähnrich zur See
1 Oct 1934 Leutnant zur See
1 Jun 1936 Oberleutnant zur See
1 Apr 1939 Kapitänleutnant
1 Apr 1943 Korvettenkapitän

Successes:
14 ships sunk, total tonnage 70,434 GRT
1 auxiliary warship sunk, total tonnage 602 GRT
3 ships damaged, total tonnage 28,682 GRT

13.10.1943: Kdt, U 402, sunk with all hands by an aircraft from the US escort carrier USS Card

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Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1936
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4.Klasse, 4 Jahre
Awarded on:
October 1938
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht  3.Klasse, 12 Jahre
Awarded on:
December 20th, 1939
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938
Awarded on:
1940
Medaille zur Erinnerung an die Heimkehr des Memellandes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
February 18th, 1942
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
February 18th, 1942
U-boot Kriegsabzeichen (ohne Brillianten)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
August 7th, 1942
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Käpitanleutnant (Lieutenant)
Unit:
Kommandant, "U 402", 3. Unterseebootsflottille, Kriegsmarine
Awarded on:
February 9th, 1943
The following newspaper excerpt (dated 12.02.1943) describes why Forstner received the Knight’s Cross…

“Kapitänleutnant von Forstner has so far sunk 15 merchant ships (with 97000 GRT) as a U-Boat commander.”
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

Photo