Fritz Frauenheim

Fritz Frauenheim (9 January 1912 – 28 September 1969) was a German U-boat commander of the Second World War. From September 1939 until retiring from front line service in December 1940, he sank 19 ships for a total of , and damaged two others. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross of Nazi Germany.

Early life Frauenheim was born in Berlin-Friedenau on 9 March 1912. He entered the navy and spent his initial training on the cadet ship , followed by a period on the light cruiser Karlsruhe. He was transferred to the U-boat force in January 1936 and rose quickly through the ranks and on 1 April 1939 he was promoted to Kapitänleutnant. He appears to have spent time with the German forces supporting the Spanish Nationalist forces during the Spanish Civil War, as he was awarded the Spanish Cross on 6 June 1939. He died in Hamburg on 28 September 1969, aged 57.

Awards Wehrmacht Long Service Award 4th Class (2 October 1936) Spanish Cross in Bronze (6 June 1939) 1st Class (7 November 1939) Sudetenland Medal (20 December 1938) Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 29 August 1940 as Kapitänleutnant and commander of U-101 Knight's Cross of the Order of the Roman Eagle with Swords (18 June 1943) German Cross in Gold on 23 November 1944 as Korvettenkapitän with the Admiral of the Kleinkampfverbände

Promotions 10 October 1930: Seekadett (Midshipman) 1 January 1932: Fähnrich zur See (Officer Cadet) 1 April 1934: Oberfähnrich zur See (Senior Ensign) 1 October 1934: Leutnant zur See (Second Lieutenant) 1 June 1936: Oberleutnant zur See (First Lieutenant) 1 April 1939: Kapitänleutnant (Captain Lieutenant) 1 March 1943: Korvettenkapitän (Corvette Captain), effective as of 1 March 1943 with rank age dated 1 April 1943 1 December 1944: Fregattenkapitän (Frigate Captain)