Brans, Hans-Joachim-August "Jochen"

Date of birth:: August 21st, 1915 (Heidelberg/Baden, Germany)
Date of death:: March 17th, 1944 (near Capeverdian Islands (16.42°N / 30.28°W))
Nationality:: German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Jochen Brans went in 1935 into service with the Kriegsmarine. Eventually he served as naval personnel in the Luftwaffe.

On 30th March 1942 he came under the command of 2.Admiral der Unterseeboote for U-Bootsausbildung with the 1.Unterseeboots-Lehr-Division at Pillau. He took a U.T.O-Lehrgang at the Torpedoschule in Flensburg-Mürwik from 8th June and on 3rd August he took a U.W.O-Lehrgang with the Marine-Nachrichtenschule, also at Flensburg-Mürwik. In September he became Wachoffizier-Überplanmäßig on board of the U 84 (Kdt. Uphoff) in the 1.U-bootsflottille at Brest. From 9th December Brans followed training as Kommandant with the KSL 24.U-bootsflottille in Memel. On 15th January 1943 he onse again became WO-Überplanmäßig, this time on the U 169 (Kdt. Bauer) of the 4.U-bootsflottille at Stettin. He received his own command in February from the U 801 with Baubelehrung U 801 Deutsche Schiff- und Maschinenbau AG (Seebeckwerft), Wesermünde-Geestemünde in the 6.K.L.A., Bremen to become Kommandant U 801 on 24th March, joining the 4.U-bootsflottile at Stettin after which the ship soon was transferred to the 2. U-Bootsflottille at Lorient. With this ship he undertook the three day journey from Stettin to Lorient, a patrol of 56 days and a second patrol from which he didn't return after 20 days.
The ship was sunk on 17th March 1944 by a combined action of the USS Correy, USS Bronstein and two Grumman Avengers of VC-9 from the USS Block island. During the sinking the ship had 10 deads and 47 survivors.

Positions:
September 1942 - December 1942: U 84

Promotions:
5th April 1935: Offiziersanwärter
1st July 1936: Fähnrich zur See
1st January 1938: Oberfähnrich zur See
1st April 1938: Leutnant zur See
1st October 1939: Oberleutnant zur See
1st November 1942: Kapitänleutnant

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