| Unit Name: | 1st U-boat flotilla |
| Type: | U-boat flotilla |
| Branch: | Kriegsmarine |
| Dates: | Raised 1935, Dissolved 1944 |
| Garrison: | Kiel, Brest |
| Garrison Label: | Base |
| Nickname: | Weddigen flotilla |
| Notable Commanders: | Fregattenkapitän Karl Dönitz |
The 1st U-boat flotilla (German 1. Unterseebootsflottille) also known as the Weddigen flotilla, was the first operational U-boat unit in Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine (navy). Founded on 27 September 1935 under the command of Fregattenkapitän Karl Dönitz,[1] it was named in honor of Kapitänleutnant Otto Weddigen. Weddigen, a U-boat commander during World War I, died on 18 March 1915 after his submarine was rammed by the British battleship in the North Sea.[2]
The flotilla at first only consisted of, a Type IIB boat commissioned on 21 August 1935. Later, boats to were included in the flotilla, but U-1 to were only used as training boats and were attached to the U-boat training school in Neustadt.[3] Originally based in Kiel from September 1935 – May 1941, it was moved to Brest, France in June 1941. In September 1944, the flotilla was disbanded and its remaining boats were distributed to other flotillas.
| Duration | Commander |
|---|---|
| September 1935 – October 1936 | Kpt. z. S. Karl Dönitz |
| October 1936 – September 1937 | Kpt. z. S. Otto Loycke |
| October 1937 – September 1939 | Kptlt. Hans-Güther Looff |
| September 1939 – December 1939 | Kptlt. Hans Eckermann m.d.F.b. |
| January 1940 – October 1940 | K.Kapt. Hans Eckermann |
| November 1940 – February 1942 | K.Kapt. Hans Cohausz |
| February 1942 – July 1942 | Kptlt. Heinz Buchholz i.V. |
| July 1942 – September 1944 | K.Kapt. Werner Winter |