Oberleutnant zur See Reinhold Saltzwedel (23 November 1889 – 2 December 1917) was a successful and highly decorated German U-boat commander in the Kaiserliche Marine during World War I. He sank a total of 111 merchant vessels for. On 1 September 1936, his name was given to the 2nd U-boat Flotilla of the Kriegsmarine in Wilhelmshaven to honour him.

Early life

Reinhold Saltzwedel was born on 23 November 1889 in Rosenberg, Upper Silesia. His father was a parson.

World War I

Saltzwedel was a Leutnant zur See when World War I broke out and Adjutant on the SMS Kaiser (1911). On 19 September 1914, he was promoted to Oberleutnant zur See. In May 1915 he went to the U-boat school. Shortly afterwards, he served as commander of several U-boats. On 20 August 1917, he was awarded the Pour le Mérite for his achievements. On 18 September 1917, he became the commanding officer of SMU UB-81, aboard which he died on 2 December after UB-81 ran into a mine. Twenty-nine men lost their lives.