Helmut Rosenbaum

Helmut Rosenbaum (11 May 1913 – 10 May 1944) was a ''Korvettenkapitän'' (LT Commander) in Nazi Germany's ''Kriegsmarine'' during World War II who commanded U-boat , and the 30th U-boat Flotilla. He received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. He is credited with the sinking of six ships for a total of and three warships.

Born in Döbeln, Rosenbaum joined the ''Reichsmarine'' (navy of the Weimar Republic) in 1932. After a period of training on surface vessels and service on various U-boats during the Spanish Civil War, he took command of his first U-boat in 1939. After torpedoing and sinking on 11 August 1942, Rosenbaum was appointed commander of the 30th U-boat Flotilla. He was killed in an aircraft crash on 10 May 1944.

Military career

Helmut Rosenbaum began his naval career with the ''Reichsmarine'' on 15 August 1932 as a late for the year member of "Crew 32" (the incoming class of 1932). He underwent basic military training in the 2nd department of the standing ship division of the Baltic Sea in Stralsund (15 August 1932 – 7 October 1932).2nd department —II. ''Abteilung''standing ship division —''Schiffsstammdivision'' Rosenbaum was then transferred to the training ship ''Edith'' (14 October 1932 – 21 October 1932), attaining the rank of ''Seekadett'' (midshipman) on 4 November 1932. Following a 14-month stay on board the light cruiser ''Köln'' (6 November 1932 – 2 January 1934) he advanced in rank to ''Fähnrich zur See'' (officer cadet) on 1 January 1934. Rosenbaum then underwent a number of officer training courses at the Naval Academy at Mürwik and Kiel-Wik, including navigational training cruises on the tender ''Weser'' and ''Nordsee'', before transferring to the cruiser ''Königsberg'' (19 April 1935 – 26 September 1935). Following his stay on ''Königsberg'' he was promoted to ''Oberfähnrich zur See'' (Senior Ensign) on 1 September 1935. Rosenbaum then attended more training courses, including a naval artillery course (27 September 1935 – 3 December 1935) and an anti U-boat defense course (4 December 1935 – 14 December 1935), before being posted to the cruiser ''Nürnberg'' (15 December 1935 – 11 October 1936). During this assignment Rosenbaum received his officer's commission, holding the rank ''Leutnant zur See'' (Second Lieutenant) as of 1 January 1936. His stay on ''Nürnberg'' was interrupted in February and March to attend another training course at Kiel-Wik.Busch & Röll 2003, p. 237.

Rosenbaum then attended various torpedo courses at the torpedo school in Flensburg from mid-October 1936 to the end of January 1937. His U-boat training began on 1 February 1937 ending with his assignment as watch officer on in the Saltzwedel Flotilla on 3 April 1937. ''U-35'' at the time was no longer under the command of Hans Rudolf RösingBusch & Röll 2003, p. 238. but rather Hermann Michahelles.

From 6 August 1940 to 29 September 1940 he attended construction briefing at the Bremer Vulkan ship yard and commissioned ''U-73'' on 30 September 1940 after completing his first two war patrols on .construction briefing —''Baubelehrung'' He sank one ship on his first patrol on ''U-73'' in the North Atlantic.

On his second patrol (25 March 1941 – 24 April 1941) on ''U-73'' Rosenbaum departed from Lorient and attacked and sank five ships, returning to St. Nazaire after four weeks at sea.Busch & Röll 2003, p. 239. He attacked convoy SC 26 on 3 April 1941 sinking the ''Alderpool'', ''Indier'', ''Westpool'', and ''British Viscount''. The British was sunk on 20 April 1941.

In February 1942 ''U-73'' was heavily bombed during his first Mediterranean patrol but nevertheless managed to reach La Spezia. In August 1942, on his eighth and final patrol (4 August 1942 – 5 September 1942) on ''U-73'', Rosenbaum attempted an attack on convoy WS 21S of Operation Pedestal bound for Malta. On 11 August 1942 he made contact with the convoy, which included HMS ''Eagle'' and fired four torpedoes at the aircraft carrier, sinking it.

Following his command of ''U-73'', he took command of the 30th U-boat Flotilla on 1 October 1942. At the same time he held the position of ''Admiralstabsoffizier'' (Asto—officer of the admiralty staff) in the staff of the Admiral of the Black Sea. Helmut Rosenbaum was killed in an airplane crash on 10 May 1944 near Constanţa in Romania as commander of the 30th U-boat Flotilla. Rosenbaum was posthumously promoted to ''Korvettenkapitän'' (LT Commander) on 3 August 1944 with an effective date as of 1 May 1944.

Awards

* Wehrmacht Long Service Award 4th Class (15 August 1936)
* Spanish Cross in Bronze (6 June 1939)
* Iron Cross (1939)
** 2nd Class (15 April 1940)
** 1st Class (25 April 1941)
* U-boat War Badge (4 March 1941)
* Silver Medal of Military Valor (17 September 1942)
* Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 12 August 1942 as ''Kapitänleutnant'' and commander of ''U-73''Scherzer 2007, p. 639.

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Rosenbaum, Helmut
1913 births
1944 deaths
People from Döbeln
Military personnel of the Kingdom of Saxony
Reichsmarine personnel
U-boat commanders (Kriegsmarine)
German military personnel of the Spanish Civil War
Recipients of the Silver Medal of Military Valor
Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Kriegsmarine personnel killed in World War II
Military personnel from Saxony
Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in Romania
Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in 1944