Hellmuth von Ruckteschell

Hellmuth von Ruckteschell
Born(1890-03-23)23 March 1890
Hamburg, German Empire
Died24 September 1948(1948-09-24) (aged 58)
Fuhlsbüttel Prison, Hamburg, Allied-occupied Germany
Allegiance Nazi Germany
Service / branchKriegsmarine
Years of service1910–45
RankKapitän zur See
CommandsGerman auxiliary cruiser Widder
German auxiliary cruiser Michel
UB-34
U-54
Battles / warsWorld War I
World War II
AwardsKnight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves

Hellmuth von Ruckteschell (22 March 1890 − 24 September 1948) was a German naval officer during World War II. He was a prominent and highly successful merchant raider commander for Nazi Germany, serving as the captain of the commerce raiders Widder and Michel. After the war Ruckteschell was convicted of war crimes and died in prison.