Gunter Jahn (27 September 1910 – 12 April 1992) was a German U-boat commander during World War II. He was born in Hamburg, Germany and began his naval career in April 1931 as a Seekadett. He first served on the light cruiser Nürnberg for more than two years, including nine patrols in the first year of the war.
In March 1941 Jahn joined the U-boat force and his first patrol was on board in September 1941. Later in November he commissioned . On his second patrol he broke through the Strait of Gibraltar and went on to become one of the most successful U-boat commanders in the Mediterranean Sea. In July 1943 he left the boat and became the commander of the 29th U-boat Flotilla. In September 1944 he fell into French captivity, where he spent nearly two years.
Awards Wehrmacht Long Service Award 4th Class (2 October 1936)Busch & Röll 2003, p. 349. Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (18 October 1939)Busch & Röll 2003, p. 350. 1st Class (6 October 1942) Medaille zur Erinnerung an die Heimkehr des Memellandes (20 December 1939) U-boat War Badge (1939) (6 October 1942) Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 30 April 1943 as Kapitänleutnant and commander of U-596Scherzer 2007, p. 416.
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