Heinrich Bleichrodt U-109
(Summary)

One of five Drumbeat Captains, Heinrich Bleichrodt was one of the most successful German U-boat commanders
of the Second World War. He served from October 1939 until retiring from front line service in December 1943.
He was credited with sinking 25 ships for a total of 152,320  gross register tons. He earned the nickname "Ajax"
during his time with U-boats. Beginning on 5 June 1941, he carried out six patrols with
U-109, not achieving the same success he had with previous U-48, nevertheless sinking 13 ships for a total of
some 80,000 tons. He received the Oak Leaves to his Knight's Cross on 23 September 1942, followed by the
U-boat War Badge with Diamonds in October. After the war, Bleichrodt was held by the Allies on war crimes
charges pertaining to the sinking of the City of Benares. Bleichrodt was accused of sinking the ship with
full knowledge that it had been transporting evacuees. He reaffirmed the German position that there was no
way he or the crew of the submarine could have known who was on board. It was upheld and he was acquitted.
However, Bleichrodt refused to apologize to the survivors, despite several crew members of U-48,
including the radio operator, expressing their shock and regret once the facts became known.