Hans-Heinrich Giessler

Hans-Heinrich Giessler (2 January 1911 - 21 August 1991), also spelled as Hans-Heinrich Gießler, was a German U-boat commander and destroyer commander during World War II. Under Giessler's command, the submarine U-455 was credited with sinking two Allied ships totaling 13,908 gross register tons (GRT). During the latter half of Giessler's career he commanded the German destroyer Z20 Karl Galster, a Type 1936 destroyer, and worked for the Reich Ministry of Armaments and War Production.

Early life Hans-Heinrich Giessler was born on 2 January 1911 in Berlin, then part of the Kingdom of Prussia.

Military career

Early career Giessler began his career in the Reichsmarine, the state Navy of the Weimar Republic, on 1 April 1931 as an Offiziersanwärter (officer candidate) of Crew 31. Geissler was eventually replaced by Kapitänleutnant Hans-Martin Scheibe as the captain of U-455 who would be killed with the rest of the crew on 5 April 1944 just southeast of Genoa.

Later career After serving aboard U-455 Geissler served at the German Torpedo Inspectorate (German: Torpedoinspektion) from December 1942 until October 1944. From 8 May 1945 until March 1946 Geissler was held as a prisoner of war by the British.

Later life Giessler died on 21 August 1991 at the age of 80 years old.

Awards and decorations Giessler's awards and decorations include:

Iron Cross 2nd Class - 1939. U-boat War Badge (1939) - 31 March 1942. Iron Cross 1st Class - 17 June 1942.

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