Kapitanleutnant Paul Hundius, Kaiserlich Marine.
Born on 2 February 1899, Paul was an Oberleutnant zur See on the LS Lothringen at the outbreak of war. Volunteering for the U-boat service, he enrolled at the U-Boot Schule in July 1915 and, by 5 April 1916, he was commanding officer of the UB-16 (U-Flotille Flandern), a role which lasted until 29 August 1916. From October 1916 to October 1917, he was commander of the UC-47, during which time he was awarded the Hohenzollerschen Hausorden mit Schwertern and Iron Cross 1st and 2nd Classes. He was also promoted to Kapitanleutnant during this command.
On 18 December 1917 Paul took command of his final vessel - the UB- 103 - in which he was to die. On 15 August 1918, whilst on patrol off the Flander coast, the UB-103 was spotted by a British naval airship which reported the position to a drifter named ‘Young Crow'. The UB-103 (which was already leaking oil) possibly ran into a mine whilst taking evasive action and she sank with the Young Crow dispatching depth charges over her location. Three heavy explosions ensued and the UB-103 was lost with all hands, including Paul.
During his submarine career he accounted for 67 merchant vessels (95,280 tons) and one military vessel. He was posthumously awarded the Pour le Merité on 18 August 1918.
15 August 1918
Research by David O'Mara, Croonaert Research Services.
