×
Home Intro People Events Equipment Places Maps Books Photos Videos Other Reference FAQ About
     

World War II Database

Prien file photo [932]

Günther Prien

SurnamePrien
Given NameGünther
Born16 Jan 1908
Died7 Mar 1941
CountryGermany
CategoryMilitary-Sea
GenderMale

Contributor:

ww2dbaseGünther Prien was born in Osterfeld, Saxony, Germany. After years of experience at sea, he joined the Reichsmarine in 1933 and served aboard the light cruiser Königsberg. In Oct 1935, he was transferred to a submarine. On 17 Dec 1938, he was given commission of U-47, a Type VIIB submarine with a promotion to the rank of lieutenant. On 14 Oct 1939, at the very beginning of the Battle of the Atlantic, Prien skillfully navigated U-47 in shallow water, around three sunken ships in the Holm Sound, and entered Royal Navy's base at Scapa Flow. After firing two spreads of torpedoes (the first salvo missed entirely), he sank the battleship Royal Oak that lay four thousand yards in front of him. He noted in his logs "There is a loud explosion, roar and rumbling. Then come columns of water, followed by columns of fire, and splinters fly through the air." After an equally stunning escape from Scapa Flow after the attack, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and instantly became a national hero. In 1940, he earned Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross. He was killed in 1941 when U-47 was either attacked and destroyed by British destroyer Wolverine or of another reason. He was responsible for sinking 30 Allied vessels totaling 164,953 tons. Historian William Manchester called Prien Admiral Dönitz's "best U-boat Kapitän."

ww2dbaseSources: the Last Lion, Wikipedia.

Last Major Revision: Jul 2006

Photographs

Prien aboard U-47, circa 1939-1941

Günther Prien Timeline

16 Jan 1908 Günther Prien was born in Osterfeld, Sachsen, Prussia.
7 Mar 1941 Günther Prien passed away.




Did you enjoy this article or find this article helpful? If so, please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 per month will go a long way! Thank you.

Share this article with your friends:

 Facebook
 Reddit
 Twitter

Stay updated with WW2DB:

 RSS Feeds




Visitor Submitted Comments

1. Brent Cox says:
8 Mar 2010 10:40:48 AM

He gained the nickname Der Stier von Scapa Flow ("The Bull of Scapa Flow").

All visitor submitted comments are opinions of those making the submissions and do not reflect views of WW2DB.

Posting Your Comments on this Topic

Your Name
Your Email
 Your email will not be published
Comment Type
Your Comments
 

Notes:

1. We hope that visitor conversations at WW2DB will be constructive and thought-provoking. Please refrain from using strong language. HTML tags are not allowed. Your IP address will be tracked even if you remain anonymous. WW2DB site administrators reserve the right to moderate, censor, and/or remove any comment. All comment submissions will become the property of WW2DB.

2. For inquiries about military records for members of the World War II armed forces, please see our FAQ.

Change View
Desktop View

Search WW2DB
More on Günther Prien
Event(s) Participated:
» Start of the Battle of the Atlantic

Ship(s) Served:
» U-47

Günther Prien Photo Gallery
Prien aboard U-47, circa 1939-1941


Famous WW2 Quote
"All right, they're on our left, they're on our right, they're in front of us, they're behind us... they can't get away this time."

Lt. Gen. Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, at Guadalcanal


Support Us

Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 a month will go a long way. Thank you!

Or, please support us by purchasing some WW2DB merchandise at TeeSpring, Thank you!