| Arthur Godenau | |
| Birth Date: | 19 January 1903 |
| Birth Place: | Netzort, Province of Posen, German Empire |
| Death Place: | Laboe |
| Other Name: | Artur Leo Gadaszewski |
| Serviceyears: | 1925–1945 |
| Rank: | Kapitänleutnant (captain lieutenant) |
| Commands: | Räumboot R-17, R-51 and R-73 |
| Unit: | SSS Niobe |
| Battles: | 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.
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. 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.[1] [2] On 26 September, Godenau was transferred to the 3rd Half-Flotilla for further training.[3] On 1 April 1927, he was promoted to Obermatrose (Seaman 1st Class).
On 31 August 1934, Godenau was appointed commander of R-11, an R boat in the 1st Minesweeper-Half-Flotilla,[4] commanding this boat for four months. On 1 January 1939, he was promoted to Stabsobersteuermann, a non-commissioned officers rank.
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 and, 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 .
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 (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. On 24 December, Godenau was promoted to Leutnant zur See (lieutenant at sea), effective as of 1 January 1942.
In 1944, Godenau became an instructor with the (BSN—Commander of the Defense of the North Sea), training new officers at Hörnum.
He later died in Laboe, the circumstances of his death are yet unknown.[5] Buried in Laboe.
de:Walther-Peer Fellgiebel
. 2000 . 1986 . Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939–1945 — Die Inhaber der höchsten Auszeichnung des Zweiten Weltkrieges aller Wehrmachtteile . The Bearers of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939–1945 — The Owners of the Highest Award of the Second World War of all Wehrmacht Branches . de . Friedberg, Germany . Podzun-Pallas . 978-3-7909-0284-6.