Ernst-Ulrich Brüller

Ernst-Ulrich Brüller (23 September 1917 – 28 February 1997) was a German U-boat commander during World War II. Under Brüller's command, the submarine U-407 was credited with sinking one Allied ship totaling 19,627 gross register tons (GRT), and damaging two Allied warships, the HMS Newfoundland and the HMS Birmingham (C19) for a further 17,900 GRT.

Biography

Early career Ernst-Ulrich Brüller was born on 23 September 1917 in Opole (German: Oppeln), then part of Upper Silesia in the Kingdom of Prussia. Brüller passed the formal ensign exam at Mürwik Naval School and was promoted to the aspirant rank of Fähnrich zur See on 1 May 1937. From May 1940 to 15 November 1940 Brüller was the Second Watch Officer (2WO) aboard U-28 under Kapitänleutnant Friedrich Guggenberger. Brüller would later be Guggenberger's First Watch Officer aboard U-28 before being placed as the acting commander of U-7 a training ship.

U-407

On 1 October 1940 Brüller was commissioned as Oberleutnant zur See and given command of U-407, Brüller would command U-407 for the majority of the ships' service from 18 December 1941 to 14 January 1944. As commander of U-407 Brüller sank one Allied ship, the RMS Viceroy of India totaling 19,627 gross register tons (GRT), and damaged two light cruisers, the HMS Newfoundland and the HMS Birmingham (C19) for a further 17,900 GRT.

Later career Following his service with U-407 Brüller was placed in command 1st Submarine Training Division (1. U-Lehrdivision) in Hamburg-Finkenwerder. Brüller surrendered on 8 May 1945 to British forces and became a prisoner of war.

Later life Brüller survived the war. He died on 28 February 1997 at the age of 79 in Germany.

Awards

Iron Cross 2nd Class - 15 April 1940. U-boat War Badge - 8 July 1940. Iron Cross 1st Class - 16 November 1940. Bronze Medal of Military Valor - 29 March 1943. U-boat Front Clasp in Bronze - 17 October 1944.