Peter-Erich Cremer

Peter-Erich Cremer (25 March 1911 – 5 July 1992) was a German U-boat commander during the Second World War. He was half-English on his mother's side. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Biography
Peter-Erich Cremer, also known by the nickname "Ali Cremer", was born in Metz, Alsace-Lorraine, on 25 March 1911. After high school, Cremer enlisted in the German Navy (Reichsmarine) in 1932. After serving on cruisers and destroyers, Cremer became captain in February 1940. He received the Iron Cross 2nd class. On August 1940, Cremer was promoted to the rank of commander of submarine. After a perilous sea trip, his crew gave him the nickname "Ali". After this epic trip, "Ali" Cremer commanded the U-152. Then, Cremer commanded the U-333 from 25 August 1941 to 6 October 1942 and again from 18 May 1943, to 19 July 1944. On 31 January 1942 he mistakenly attacked and sunk the SS Spreewald. Subsequently he was court-martialed and found not guilty.

After several victorious trips, he received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) on 5 June 1942. The same year, Cremer was severely wounded. He sailed again from 1943 until July 1944, before giving his boat to his lieutenant. On November 1944, Cremer, now Lieutenant Commander, aimed to convey the new submarine U-2519 Class XXI. Citing "several design flaws", Cremer scuttled the submarine at Kiel, on May 1945. As the War drew to a close, he was attached to the personal security unit of Karl Dönitz. In this role he was involved in the incident in which Kapitän zur See Wolfgang Lüth was shot to death by a German guard.

Peter-Erich Cremer recounted his life in his books "U-333: The story of a u-boat ace" and "U-Boat Commander: a periscope view of the Battle of the Atlantic.". He died at Hamburg on 5 July 1992.

Ships sunk and damaged
Peter-Erich Cremer as commander of U-333 sank six merchant ships totalling, damaged another of , and also engaged and damaged the Flower class corvette HMS Crocus (K49).

Awards

 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class ( 11 February 1940 )
 * 1st Class ( 10 February 1942 )
 * Destroyer War Badge ( 19 October 1940 )
 * U-boat War Badge (1939) ( 26 May 1942 )
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 5 June 1942 as Kapitänleutnant and commander of U-333
 * Wound Badge in Silver ( 11 November 1942 )
 * U-boat Front Clasp ( 27 September 1944 )
 * Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht on 11 May 1942 and 25 April 1945

Dates of rank

 * Offiziersanwärter : 15 August 1932
 * Fähnrich zur See : 1 January 1934
 * Oberfähnrich zur See : 1 September 1935
 * Leutnant zur See : 1 January 1936
 * Oberleutnant zur See : 1 October 1937
 * Kapitänleutnant : 2 February 1940
 * Korvettenkapitän : 11 July 1944