Hans-Werner Kraus | |
---|---|
Born | Beulwitz/Saalfeld | 1 July 1915
Died | 25 May 1990 Wanger/Allgäu | (aged 74)
Allegiance | Nazi Germany |
Service | Kriegsmarine |
Years of service | 1934–43 |
Rank | Kapitänleutnant |
Unit | SSS Gorch Fock cruiser Karlsruhe cruiser Königsberg U-47 |
Commands | U-83, U-199 |
Battles / wars | World War II |
Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Hans-Werner Kraus (1 July 1915 – 25 May 1990) was a German U-boat commander in the Kriegsmarine of Nazi Germany. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.
Kraus served as 1st watch officer on U-47 from January 1940 until November 1940 having replaced Engelbert Endrass. He later commanded U-83 and U-199.
He was on board the latter when it was attacked by Brazilian Air Force aircraft on 27 June 1943. Kraus evaded only to be targeted by a VP-74 Mariner (BuNo 6571) piloted by Lt. Harold C. Carey. The German crew shot it down and the crew were killed.[1]
Kraus was sunk by aircraft off the coast of Brazil on 31 July 1943. Captured, he was sent as a POW to the United States. Kraus was one of the 25 POWs who escaped from Camp Papago Park, Arizona, during the night of 23–24 December 1944 but was recaptured.