Otto von Bülow – Kommandant of “U-404” (Eichenlaub) (Wartime Signed)

Otto von Bülow (16 October 1911 † 5 January 2006) was a decorated German U-boat commander of World War II, best known for his successful command of U-404 during the Battle of the Atlantic. Under his leadership, U-404 achieved numerous victories against Allied shipping, earning von Bülow high distinction within the Kriegsmarine.

Awards and Decorations

• Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) – 20 October 1942, as Kapitänleutnant and Kommandant of U-404.

• Oak Leaves (Eichenlaub) – 26 April 1943, as Kapitänleutnant and Kommandant of U-404.

• U-boat War Badge (U-Boots-Kriegsabzeichen).

• Iron Cross (1939) 1st and 2nd Class.

Item Details

• Original wartime signature of Korvettenkapitän zur See Otto von Bülow.

• Signed on a wartime postcard.

• Provenance: From the large personal collection of HJ boy Ernst Fritzsche, who collected wartime autographs and correspondence during the period.

• Condition: Good; postcard shows minor age wear with trimmed edges from period handling. Signature remains strong and well-preserved.

Collector’s Note

Otto von Bülow was one of the Kriegsmarine’s most successful U-boat commanders, later serving as a naval officer in postwar Germany. His wartime signature is relatively scarce, and examples on period postcards—particularly with traceable provenance—are highly collectible among U-boat and naval history enthusiasts.