Canaris and WW1 and U-boat commander

Wilhelm Canaris was born in Aplerbeck, near Dortmund, on 1st January, 1887. A member of a wealthy family, Canaris entered the German Navy in 1905 and by 1911 reached the rank of lieutenant.

On the outbreak of the First World War Canaris was on the Dresden that took part in the Battle of the Falklands. Forced to land on Juan Fernandez Island, 400 miles from Chile, he was in an internment camp until escaping in August, 1915.

Canaris reached Germany in October, 1915. Canaris made his way back to Germany where he was hailed by the Navy as a great hero and promoted to the rank of captain. He was given an audience with Kaiser Wilhelm who congratulated him and bestowed upon the youthful naval officer the Iron Cross, first class . He was then sent to join the intelligence service for U-boat operations in the Mediterranean and for the next year he worked as an undercover agent in Italy and Spain before becoming a commander of a U-boat in 1917.

He skippered a U-boat in the Mediterranean throughout 1917. It was during this time the Canaris, on leave home, met Ericka Waag, the sister of a fellow naval officer. He would marry her, the only woman in his life, on November 22, 1919.

U 38

16 Sep, 1917 - 15 Nov, 1917 Wilhelm Canaris


U 47

14 Jan, 1918 - 14 Jun, 1918 Wilhelm Canaris


Or( U-34
18 Jan, 1918 - 13 Mar, 1918 Wilhelm Canaris )



Anybody know more of his doings as a U-boat commander in the Mediterranean area?

 

Hi Kai, coincidently I'm reading a book from "Brazilian Army's Library" about... Canaris...

Here goes something that I read about:

He operates at Cattaro, an Austrian submarine base, against allied squadrons with success. At beginning of October/1918, the oil and ammunition supplies from Germany doesn't reach Cattaro anymore. Later in October, he is instructed to back to Kiel, where he arrives at 8-11-1918.

I think that submarine was "UB-128".

 

Thanx for the info, Rodrigo!