Ahoy - Mac's Web Log

Werner Henke

Werner Henke was born on the 13th. of May 1909 at Rudak, Thorn. He first went to sea in the German warships Admiral Scheer, and Schleswig-Holstein, but it was in the U-Boat command he made his name. He first sailed in a submarine when he joined U-124 under the command of Kapitanleutnant Wilhelm Schulz, and also served under Kapitanleutnant Jochen Mohr.

By February 1942, he at last was given the command of his own boat, U-515, his third patrol over the night of the 30th.April/1st of May in 1943 was an outstanding success. Henke attacked Convoy TS 37, some 90 miles south of the West African port of Freetown, sinking 8 ships to total 49,456 tons, therby earning himself the Oak Leaves to his already awarded Knights Cross. Over his career, this U-Boat commander accounted for 25 ships of 157,064 tons and damaged a further 2 more with a tonnage of 7,954 tons. (See the article, "SS Ceramic, a victim of U-515 on the 7th. of December 1942")

Come the 9th. of April 1944, his boat U-515 was sunk north of Madeira in the Atlantic Ocean when it was found by the US escort carrier US Guadalcanal, and destroyers USS Pope, Pillsbury, Chatelain, and Flaherty. Aircraft from the carrier dropped bombs whilst the destroyers all used depth charges to sink the submarine. During this action, 16 of her crew died, but the rest of the ships company numbering 40, including her Captain were rescued.

On board U-515 Werner writes up his war diary

Henke was imprisoned in the interrogation centre at Fort Hunt Virginia as a POW, on the 15th.of June 1944, in broad daylight he just walked towards the fence, to slowly climb it. The guards shouted to him to stop, he ignored all warnings and continued his climb. He was now fatally shot. In fact, in chosing sucide this way, it is thought that Henke believed he faced extradition, and a showcase trial as a criminal.

U-515 Sinking

This U-Boat Ace lies buried in the Soldiers Cemetery at Ft. George G. Meade in the state of Maryland.

On the 18th. of July 1944 Admiral Donitz issued the following day order for his U-Boat force:

"Commander Kapitanleutnant Werner Henke, recipient of the Knights Cross with Oak Leaves to the Iron Cross, was killed during an attempt to escape from captivity. We have lost one of our best. He combined reckless daring with prudence and outstanding ability. He proved himself against convoys, independent merchantships and warships, and sinking 26 ships for a total of 166,000 tons, one cruiser and one destroyer. We strike the colors for a man of iron and a brave fighter who was an inspiring example to his crew, and for a good comrade. The struggle against the enemy, in which he was killed, will continue."

Note the number of ships sunk and their tonnage as quoted by Donitz differ slightly to those listed on the U-Boat net.

Werner Henke's grave stone in the US