Hans-Werner Kraus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nazi Germany
KriegsmarineHans-Werner Kraus | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1 July 1915 Beulwitz/Saalfeld |
| Died | 25 May 1990 (aged 74) Wanger/Allgäu |
| Allegiance | Nazi Germany |
| Branch | Kriegsmarine |
| Service years | 1934–43 |
| Rank | Kapitänleutnant |
| Unit | SSS Gorch Fock cruiser Karlsruhe cruiser Königsberg U-47 |
| Commands | U-83, U-199 |
| Conflicts | World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Bronze Medal of Military Valor |
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]
In 22 July 1943, the U-199 commanded by Hans, nicknamed "Lobo Cinzento", attacked the fishing vessel "Shangri-lá", fatally killing at least 10 civilians in Cabo Frio, Rio de Janeiro, including Deocleciano Pereira da Costa.[2] Later, his family would fill a lawsuit against the German Federal Republic in the brazilian Federal Justice. The Brazilian Supreme Court (STF - Supremo Tribunal Federal), in a historical decision, removed the diplomatic imunity of the German Federal Republic, saing it was liable by acts of ius imperii that violated human rights even in the context of war.[3]
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.
