# Herbert Werner

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German naval officer (1920–2013)

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Herbert Werner Born (1920-05-13)13 May 1920 Freiburg im Breisgau Died 6 April 2013(2013-04-06) (aged 92)[1] Vero Beach, Florida, United States Allegiance Nazi Germany Branch Kriegsmarine Service years 1939–1945 Rank Oberleutnant zur See Commands U-415, U-953 Conflicts Battle of the Atlantic Awards Minesweeper War Badge U-boat War Badge Iron Cross 1st Class

**Herbert A. Werner** (13 May 1920 – 6 April 2013) was a German submarine officer and captain during [World War II](/source/World_War_II). He served in five [U-boats](/source/U-boat) and survived the sinking of [*U-612*](/source/German_submarine_U-612) in the Baltic and the loss of [*U-415*](/source/German_submarine_U-415) in Brest harbour. Werner moved to the United States in 1957 and became an American citizen.[2]

## Biography

Herbert Werner was born in [Freiburg im Breisgau](/source/Freiburg_im_Breisgau) in 1920. He joined the navy in 1939 as an officer candidate and became a [midshipman](/source/Midshipman) (*Fähnrich zur See*) in November 1940. in April 1941 he was appointed watch officer on [*U-557*](/source/German_submarine_U-557) under [Ottokar Paulshen](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ottokar_Paulshen&action=edit&redlink=1) and carried out three war patrols with her, from April to November 1941, during which he was involved in a number of engagements and took part in the sinking of five merchant ships.

Werner was promoted and sent to U-boat school for training, before joining *U-612* in April 1942 as first watch officer under [Paul Siegmann](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Paul_Siegmann&action=edit&redlink=1). *U-612* was lost accidentally in August 1942 while working up, although most of the crew were saved; they were transferred *en bloc* to [*U-230*](/source/German_submarine_U-230). Werner accomplished four patrols with her (seeing only one success) up to December 1943, when he was again promoted and sent to commanders school.

In April 1944 he took command of *U-415* but made only two abortive sorties before she was sunk in harbour after detonating a mine. Werner then took command of [*U-953*](/source/German_submarine_U-953), in August 1944 and escaped with her to Norway, from whence he made one unfruitful patrol before the German surrender in May 1945.

Werner is thought to have moved to the US in 1957, and there wrote the best selling memoir *Iron Coffins*. He is believed to have died on 4 (or 6[3]) April 2013 in Vero Beach, Florida.[4]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [Herbert Werner's obituary](http://www.obitsforlife.com/obituary/688804/Werner-Herbert.php) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20131203012303/http://www.obitsforlife.com/obituary/688804/Werner-Herbert.php) 2013-12-03 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-uboat_2-0)** uboat.net

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [Herbert A Werner at obitsforlife](http://www.obitsforlife.com/obituary/688804/Werner-Herbert.php) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20131203012303/http://www.obitsforlife.com/obituary/688804/Werner-Herbert.php) 2013-12-03 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [Herbert Werner at uboat.net](https://www.uboat.net/men/werner_herbert.htm)

## Sources

- Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999b). *German U-boat commanders of World War II : a biographical dictionary*. Translated by Brooks, Geoffrey. London, Annapolis, Md: Greenhill Books, Naval Institute Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-55750-186-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-55750-186-6).

- Hadley, Michael L. (1995). [*Count Not the Dead: The Popular Image of the German Submarine*](https://www.mqup.ca/count-not-the-dead-products-9780773512825.php). Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780773512825](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780773512825).

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND FAST WorldCat National United States Japan Czech Republic Netherlands Norway Korea Israel Croatia People Deutsche Biographie Other Yale LUX

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