| Unit Name: | 2nd U-boat Flotilla |
| Type: | U-boat flotilla |
| Dates: | Raised 1936, Dissolved 1944 |
| Garrison: | Kiel, Wilhelmshaven, Lorient |
| Nickname: | Saltzwedel Flotilla |
| Battles: | |
| Notable Commanders: | Korvettenkapitän Werner Hartmann Korvettenkapitän Viktor Schütze Fregattenkapitän Ernst Kals |
The 2nd U-boat Flotilla (German 2. Unterseebootsflottille), also known as the Saltzwedel Flotilla, was the second operational U-boat unit in Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine. Founded on 1 September 1936 under the command of Fregattenkapitän Werner Scheer, it was named in honour of Oberleutnant zur See Reinhold Saltzwedel. Saltzwedel, a U-boat commander during World War I, died on 2 December 1917, when his submarine UB-81 was sunk by a mine in the English Channel.
The flotilla was based in Kiel for the first few weeks after its formation, but was later moved to Wilhelmshaven, where it remained until May 1940. In June 1940, the flotilla was moved to Lorient in France until it was disbanded in August 1944.
| Duration | Rank | Commander |
|---|---|---|
| September 1936 - July 1937 | Fregattenkapitän | Werner Scheer[1] |
| October 1937 - September 1939 | Korvettenkapitän | Hans Ibbeken[2] |
| January 1940 - May 1940 | Korvettenkapitän | Werner Hartmann[3] |
| May 1940 - July 1941 | Korvettenkapitän | Heinz Fischer[4] |
| August 1941 - January 1943 | Korvettenkapitän | Viktor Schütze[5] |
| January 1943 - October 1944 | Kapitän zur See | Ernst Kals[6] |