Hans Heinrich Hass

Hans Heinrich Hass (12 October 1922 - 21 January 2009), aka "Hans-Heinrich Haß", was a German submarine commander who served in both the Kriegsmarine of Nazi Germany and later in the post war Bundesmarine of West Germany. As a junior Midshipman, he served on board the GS U-96 (1940) during its famous 7th war patrol under the command of Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock. Hass was later the basis for one of the characters in the novel "Das Boot" by author Lothar-Günther Buchheim.

Early life and naval service
Hass was born 1922 in Eckernförde, Germany. At the age of eighteen in 1940, a year into the Second World War, he joined the Kriegsmarine as an officer cadet and was selected for submarine officer training in September 1940. He was appointed a Midshipman the following year and, in October 1941, selected for at-sea training on board the U-boat U-96. His duty on board was that of "Officer Trainee" where he shadowed the First and Second Watch Officers (Gerhard Groth and Werner Herrmann) in the performance of their duties as well as serving as Acting Third Watch Officer, in the place of Alfred Radermacher, when required by the ship's schedule.

In December 1941, after U-96 had returned to port, Hass returned to training duty where he completed a submarine Watch Officer's course. He was appointed a senior Midshipman in July 1942 and returned to U-96 that November as the boat's Acting First Watch Officer. In January 1943 he was commissioned as a Leutnant zur See; shortly thereafter U-96 returned from her 11th war patrol and Hass was detached for other duties.

Later Kriegsmarine service
In April 1943, Hass was assigned as First Watch Officer of GS U-543, a Type IXC submarine. The following year, he was assigned to staff duty with the 24th U-boat Flotilla and screened for command-at-sea in May 1944. On July 25, 1944 Hass was appointed as commander of the Type XXIII submarine GS U-2324. Hass held his command from July 1944 to February 1945 during which time the vessel was only deployed for training. His final assignment of World War II was as a staff officer with the 11th U-boat Flotilla.

Post war naval service
In 1956, at the age of thirty-four, Hass was appointed a captain lieutenant in the new Germany Navy, the Bundesmarine. In October 1957 he commissioned U-Hecht (S 171) (formerly GS U-2367) and served as her commander until 31 December 1959. He was promoted to lieutenant commander in 1960 and retired as a commander four years later. He died 2009 in Altenholz at the age of 86.

Dramatic portrayal
In the film Das Boot, Hass is the basis for the character of "Midshipman Ullmann", portrayed by German actor Martin May. The character of Ullmann is depicted in the film as involved with a French girl who is pregnant as well as being friends with the main character "Leutnant Werner". In contrast to his character's portrayal as young and naive, Hass' selection by Captain Lehmann-Willenbrock for at-sea training was considered prestigious and there is ample evidence Hass was already a seasoned naval officer, holding significant responsibility on-board U-96, even before he was commissioned as a lieutenant.

Service history
Dates of rank 1945 - 1956: Break in service
 * 23 September 1940: Offiziersanwärter
 * 1 August 1941: Fähnrich zur See
 * 1 July 1942: Oberfähnrich zur See
 * 1 January 1943: Leutnant zur See
 * 1 October 1944: Oberleutnant zur See
 * 1956: Kapitänleutnant
 * 1960: Korvettenkapitän
 * 1964: Fregattenkapitän

Hass's known decorations from the Second World War include the Iron Cross (Second Class) and U-boat War Badge.