Albrecht Brandi (1914-1966) was a famous German U-boat commander. Together with Wolfgang Luth he was the only Kriegsmarine sailor to be awarded the Knight's cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds. Brandi was well known as one of the most bravest and most aggressive German sailors ever.

During his naval career Brandi destroyed 14 ships, including one light cruiser, one minelayer and 3 destroyers. He also damaged a battleship (Hms Rodney) and two aircraft cariers (Hms Illustrious and Hms Formidable). With these victories Brandi became the the U-boat commander with the most destroyed warships on his name. However, he's not the U-boat commander with the most ships sunk, that honor going to Otto Kretschmer with 47 victories. Brandi is ranked number 24 on the top scoring list of Germany's U-boat commanders.

Early years

Brandi joiend the German Kriegsmarine in 1935 and had his study as a naval offcier on board on the German light cruiser Karlsruhe. After his graduate he became commander of the minesweeper M-1. During the first year of world war 2 Brandi destroyed various minefield in the nordic sea.

In april 1941 Brandi started his U-boat education at the U-boat training camp Neaustadt Holstein. From may 1941 to april 1942 was Brandi the rearman during 3 escorts of the U-552, which was commanded by famous commander Erich Topp. In april 1942 Brandi was given the command of his own submarine: the U-617.

War at the Mediterranean Sea

During his first patrol Brandi destroyed for mercant ships. On his second patrol he sunk one destroyer and damaged one tanker. In november 1942 Brandi was ordered to make a patrol to a new area: the Mediterranian sea. To get to this sea Brandi ha to make a trip toward the havely guarded streets of Gibraltar. brandi decided to make the trip by night on the surface, with his engines shut down and his boat driving down the stream. During this extremely dangerous trip, Brandi was discovered by a Shor Sunderland bomber which dropped two depth charges. The bombas nearly misted the boat and Brandi succeced to get away. The Gibraltar mission was known as one of the greatest acts of bravery during world war 2. Brandi was the only germand saylor who crossed the Gribraltar street and he was awarded with the knights cross.

During the year 1943, brandi made various patrols across the mediterranean sea. During these patrols Brandi attacked Britisched war ships who attacked the German suply ships for the North Afican war.

in the mediaterranean sea it was, for a U-boat commander, extremely difficult to attack enemy ships. this is the reason why brandi's victorys are so special. Another reason for Brandi's highely admiration is the fact that all of his victim's where havely armed or guided warships.

On februari 1943 brandi destroyed an British minelayer a few miled from the Maltese coast. The destruction of this ship saved a convoy of fifty German ships for the invasion of Malta. Brandi was awarded with Oakleaves to his knights cross for this victory.

Later, on april 1943, Brandi sank the light cruiser Mogambo, 40 miles outside of gribrlatar. Brandi whas awarded with the swords by his oakleaves and knigth's cross.

In June 1943 Brandi's U-617 was attacked for the Morrocan coast by a Short Shunderland bomber. One bomb hit the U-617 and the ship was sinking, shortly after that the plane was shot down by the anti aircraft gun.

Brandi and his crew abandoned their submarine with a rubber boat and U-617 sunk a few minutes later.

Brandi as a leader

After the destruction of his U-617 Brandi became commander of all U-boats in the eastern baltic sea. During this period many ships were destroyed on the baltic sea and Brandi was awarded with the diamonds by his knights cross, for his leadership of the u-boat fleet.

In the last year of the war Brandi became chief commander of the mini submarine fleet.

After the war Brandi started a career as a architect.