Welcoming Ceremony for Wolfgang Lüth after 205 days at the Sea

Welcoming ceremony in Bordeaux for U-boat ace Wolfgang Lüth who had just returned from his 205 days patrol (23 March 1943 - 14 October 1943). In March 1943 Lüth left Bordeaux for patrol mission in African waters and the Indian Ocean. This patrol, under difficult conditions, was also very successful, with ten ships sunk totalling 45,331 tons. During this patrol Lüth became the first Kriegsmarine member to receive the Brillanten for his Ritterkreuz! This patrol was also outstanding because it was the second longest patrol of the war, second only to Eitel Friedrich Kentrat's incredible 225 days on U-196. From left to right: Kapitän zur See Hans Rudolf Rösing (Führer U-Boote West), Korvettenkapitän Klaus Scholtz (Flottillenchef 12. U-Flottille) and Korvettenkapitän Wolfgang Lüth (Kommandant U 181).



Korvettenkapitän Wolfgang Lüth (Kommandant U 181) opens his mail send by the fans. The picture was taken on 14 October 1943 during the welcoming ceremony in Bordeaux for his return after 205 days at the sea. This patrol was so long that Lüth was promoted to the rank of Korvettenkapitän(1 April 1943), awarded the Schwerter (15 April 1943) and Brillanten (9 August 1943), all while he was still as the sea! That's why we see him still wearing the Eichenlaub is his neck and not the higher grade.

From left to right: Kapitän zur See Hans Rudolf Rösing (Führer U-Boote West), Korvettenkapitän Wolfgang Lüth (Kommandant U 181), and Korvettenkapitän Klaus Scholtz (Flottillenchef 12. U-Flottille).The picture was taken during welcoming ceremony in Bordeaux for U-boat ace Wolfgang Lüth who had just returned from his 205 days patrol (23 March 1943 - 14 October 1943).



Toast! The welcoming ceremony in Bordeaux for U-boat ace Wolfgang Lüth who had just returned from his 205 days patrol (23 March 1943 - 14 October 1943). From left to right: unknown, Kapitän zur See Hans Rudolf Rösing (Führer U-Boote West), Korvettenkapitän Wolfgang Lüth (Kommandant U 181), Korvettenkapitän Klaus Scholtz (Flottillenchef 12. U-Flottille), unknown, unknown, and Oberleutnant (Ing.) der Reserve Carl-August Landfermann (Leitender Ingenieur U-181).

"See und Luftkrieg gegen Großbritannien und der USA" (Sea and air war against Great Britain and the USA). Welcoming ceremony in Bordeaux for U-boat ace Wolfgang Lüth (sitting in the middle) who had just returned from his 205 days patrol (23 March 1943 - 14 October 1943).

Korvettenkapitän Wolfgang Lüth (right, Kommandant U-181) on 14 October 1943 after the 205 day patrol. In the middle is Oberleutnant (Ing.) der Reserve Carl-August Landfermann (Leitender Ingenieur U-181).

Source :
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek photo archive (Image-No.: 50072449)
https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/korvettenkapit%C3%A4n-u-boot-kommandant-d-l-wird-nach-seiner-news-photo/545331749
https://uboat.net/men/luth.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-xSeT1kWJA