Kapitänleutnant Fritz-Julius Lemp

German U-boat commander

Born: February 19, 1913 · Died: May 9, 1941

War & ConflictPolitics & Government

Who was Kapitänleutnant Fritz-Julius Lemp?

Fritz-Julius Lemp (German: [fʁɪt͡s ˈjuːli̯ʊs lɛmp]; 19 February 1913 – 9 May 1941) was a captain in the Kriegsmarine during World War II and commander of U-28, U-30 and U-110. He sank the British passenger liner SS Athenia in September 1939, in violation of the Hague conventions.

Historical significance

Germany's responsibility for the sinking was suppressed by Admiral Karl Dönitz and the Nazi propaganda. Lemp died when the U-boat he commanded was captured.

Related on thisDay

Capture of U-110 — May 9, 1941

41 Allied ships sunk: U-110's capture near Iceland on May 9, 1941, gave the British Navy a crucial advantage in the Battle of the Atlantic

Sources and further reading

Use the dated article for the day-specific account; use these references to check the event record and explore its wider historical context.

Date article: Capture of U-110 — May 9, 1941 Wikipedia source