Hans Rose

Lieutenant Commander Hans Rose was one of the most successful and highly decorated German U-boat commander in the Kaiserliche Marine during World War I.

Rose was one of the most respected and brave U-boat commanders and famous for his humanity and fairness in battle. Sometimes when he torpedoed a ship he would wait until all the lifeboats were filled, he would then throw a tow line, give the victims food, keeping all the survivors together until a rescuing destroyer appeared on the horizon when he would let go and submerge. There exist many reports of him caring for survivors even when putting his own boat at risk.

Rose sank 79 ships for a total of 213,987 tons during the entire war.

World War I
In September 1916 Rose brought U-53 to Newport, Rhode Island, much to the amazement of the American authorities. He proceeded to dock and then invite the American Naval Officers and their wives aboard to view his gleaming vessel. After delivering a message to the German Ambassador he proceeded offshore to the Lightship Nantucket. He sent five or six ships to the bottom having questioned their captains on their cargo and ordered the abandonment of their ships.

On March 11, 1917 Rose, still in command of U-53, torpedoed and sank the 6705 tons Cunard Liner RMS Folia.

On December 6, 1917 Rose torpedoed and sank USS Jacob Jones (DD-61) which was the first American destroyer to be lost during the First World War. The torpedo hit Jacob Jones at 3000 yd, the longest successful torpedo shot on record. On December 20, 1917 Rose was awarded the Pour le Mérite for his achievements in the tonnage war. He was also awarded the Ritterkreuz des Hohenzollerschen Hausordens mit Schwertern.

World War II
Hans Rose was in command of 1. Unterseeboots-Ausbildungsabteilung (U-boat training unit) from February 1940 to May 1940.