Philipp Lichtenberg – Leitender Ingenieur on U-516

Small wartime photograph of Philipp Lichtenberg (here without Knight’s Cross). It’s likely his writing on the back. Lichtenberg was awarded the Knight’s Cross in March 1945 for for making his heavily damaged U-Boat once again capable of diving after full application of all of his engineering abilities.

Philipp Lichtenberg joined the Reichsmarine in April 1928. He served for some years on torpedo boats and on minesweepers. When during late summer of 1935 the first U-boats were commisisoned he became a Maschinenmaat on U-10. So he was one of the rare U-boat men, who served nearly ten years in the U-boat force.

His first patrols he rode on U-18 as Obermaschinist. In 1941 Lichtenberg became an officer and served then for 8 months as leading engineer (LI) on U-652. Later he was training officer in the 22nd flotilla, before he in May 1943 became the LI on U-516. After war he spent 10 months in British captivity. (Source: Uboat.net)