About Hermann Boehm
Lived 1884 – 1972 (aged 88). Hermann Boehm was a German marineoffizier, military personnel, physician and university teacher.
Hermann Boehm (18 January 1884, Rybnik – 11 April 1972, Kiel) was a German naval officer who rose to the rank of General Admiral during the Second World War.
Military service Boehm joined the on 1 April 1903 as a cadet and did his basic training on SMS Stein. He was promoted to on 19 September 1914 and during the First World War commanded various torpedo boats (such as SMS G41 during the Battle of Jutland and later SMS V 69). In 1919 he was dismissed from the service but when the navy was reactivated as the in 1920 he was recalled to it, mainly serving in staff posts until 1933.
On 3 October 1933 Boehm was made the commander of the Hessen for a year, until he was promoted to in autumn 1934 and appointed commander in chief of the navy's reconnaissance forces. From 25 August 1936 to 3 August 1937, during the opening stages of the Spanish Civil War, he commanded the German naval forces off the Spanish coast. On 1 April 1937 he was promoted to vice admiral and put in command of the North Sea Station. Early in 1938 he became a full admiral and in November the same year (fleet commander).
Shortly after the Battle of the River Plate, Boehm was relieved of command and left without a post for several months. After Operation Weserübung, the invasion of Norway in April 1940, he was made the commander of German naval forces there on 10 April 1940, being promoted to General Admiral on 1 April the following year. In March 1943 he was recalled from Norway and on 31 May that year officially discharged from active service, effective on the following 1 June. From 1 March 1944 to 31 March 1945 he commanded the inspectorate of the 's education programme, at the end of which post he was fully discharged from the .
Decorations Iron Cross (1914) 2nd and 1st class Knight's Cross of the House Order of Hohenzollern with swords Friedrich-August-Kreuz 2nd and 1st class Verwundetenabzeichen (1918) in black Medalla de la Campaña Spanish Cross Wehrmacht-Dienstauszeichnung 4th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st class Anschluss Medal Clasp to the Iron Cross 2nd and 1st class German Cross in Gold on 20 November 1941
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Hermann Boehm's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Hermann Boehm?
German admiral (1884-1972)
When was Hermann Boehm born?
Hermann Boehm was born on 18 January 1884 in Rybnik, Fürth.
When did Hermann Boehm die?
Hermann Boehm died on 11 April 1972 in Kiel.
What was Hermann Boehm's occupation?
Hermann Boehm was a marineoffizier, military personnel, physician and university teacher.
What nationality was Hermann Boehm?
Hermann Boehm was German.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Hermann Boehm (admiral)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Hermann Boehm. https://biography.guide/hermann-boehm-marineoffizier/
MLA: "Hermann Boehm." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/hermann-boehm-marineoffizier/.
Chicago: "Hermann Boehm." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/hermann-boehm-marineoffizier/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:22 UTC