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Arthur Godenau | |
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Other name(s) | Artur Leo Gadaszewski |
Born | Netzort, Province of Posen, German Empire | 19 January 1903
Died | 16 February 1983 Laboe | (aged 80)
Allegiance | ![]() |
Service/ | ![]() |
Years of service | 1925–1945 |
Rank | Kapitänleutnant (captain lieutenant) |
Unit | SSS Niobe |
Commands held | Räumboot R-17, R-51 and R-73 |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Arthur Godenau (19 January 1903 - 16 February 1983) was a German Kriegsmarine officer who was born in Przyłęki ( German: Netzort) and took part in the German operation against Norway. [1] [2]
Godenau was born on 19 January 1903 in Netzort, Kreis Bromberg in Province of Posen within the German Empire, present-day Przyłęki. At birth, his name was Artur Leo Gadaszewski, later renamed to Godenau. [3] He joined the military service of Reichsmarine, the German Navy during the Weimar Republic, on 1 April 1925 with the 1st department of the standing ship division of the North Sea. [Tr 1] [Tr 2] On 26 September, Godenau was transferred to the 3rd Half-Flotilla for further training. [4] [Tr 3] On 1 April 1927, he was promoted to Obermatrose (Seaman 1st Class). [5]
On 31 August 1934, Godenau was appointed commander of R-11, an R boat in the 1st Minesweeper-Half-Flotilla, [Tr 4] commanding this boat for four months. [4] On 1 January 1939, he was promoted to Stabsobersteuermann, a non-commissioned officers rank. [5]
During Operation Weserübung, the German the invasion of Denmark and Norway, Godenau commanded R-17. On 9 April 1940, a German task force consisting of the torpedo boats Albatros and Kondor, accompanied by R-17 and R-21, heavily laden with troops attacked the Norwegian naval base at Horten which became the Battle of Horten Harbour. During the assault, R-17 was sunk by the minelayer Olav Tryggvason. [6]
He earned significant awards, such as Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 31 May 1940 when he commanded R-17 in R-Boat Flotilla I [1] (for successfully helping to ensure the capture of the Horten harbor in an undamaged state).
Godenau was then scheduled to take command of R-51. This was cancelled and he was given command of R-73 which he commissioned on 21 May 1941. [4] On 24 December, Godenau was promoted to Leutnant zur See (lieutenant at sea), effective as of 1 January 1942. [5]
In 1944, Godenau became an instructor with the Befehlshabers der Sicherung der Nordsee (BSN—Commander of the Defense of the North Sea), training new officers at Hörnum. [4]
He later died in Laboe, the circumstances of his death are yet unknown. [7] Buried in Laboe. [1]