Births on January 15

Alexander Marinesko, Ukrainian-Russian lieutenant (d. 1963)

Alexander Ivanovich Marinesko (Russian: Александр Иванович Маринеско, Ukrainian: Олександр Іванович Марiнеско, Romanian: Alexandru Marinescu; born 15 January [O.S. 2 January] 1913, died 25 November 1963) was a highly notable Soviet naval officer and a key figure in World War II naval history. He is most widely recognized for his command of the submarine S-13 during the war.

Marinesko's strategic actions resulted in the sinking of significant enemy vessels, most famously the German military transport ship Wilhelm Gustloff. This operation, executed with daring and precision, cemented his place as the most successful Soviet submarine commander in terms of gross register tonnage (GRT) sunk. With a confirmed total of 42,000 GRT attributed to his command, his wartime achievements were considerable, though official recognition of their magnitude took many decades. He was posthumously awarded the prestigious title of Hero of the Soviet Union in 1990, a testament to his ultimate vindication and the historical re-evaluation of his contributions.

The Sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff: A Defining Moment

The attack on the Wilhelm Gustloff on January 30, 1945, remains one of the most impactful and controversial naval engagements of World War II. Originally built as a luxury cruise liner for the Nazi "Strength Through Joy" (Kraft durch Freude) program, the ship had been repurposed by the German navy (Kriegsmarine) during the war. By early 1945, it was serving as a barracks ship for U-boat trainees and, critically, as a transport for German military personnel and thousands of civilian refugees fleeing the advancing Red Army in East Prussia. The vessel was participating in Operation Hannibal, a large-scale German evacuation of troops and civilians across the Baltic Sea.

Under the command of Captain Marinesko, the Soviet submarine S-13 launched a torpedo attack against the heavily overcrowded Wilhelm Gustloff. Despite adverse weather conditions and the presence of escort vessels, Marinesko expertly maneuvered S-13 into an attack position. The submarine fired four torpedoes, three of which struck the German vessel. The sinking led to an immense loss of life, with estimates ranging from 5,000 to over 9,000 people perishing in the frigid waters of the Baltic Sea. This catastrophic event is widely regarded as one of the deadliest maritime disasters in history.

While the Wilhelm Gustloff was carrying a significant number of civilians, it was legally considered a legitimate military target under international law due to its armed status, its designation as a troop transport, and its involvement in a military evacuation operation. Marinesko's decision and execution of the attack, therefore, adhered to the rules of engagement for naval warfare at the time.

A Distinguished Record in Gross Register Tonnage

Alexander Marinesko's impressive tally of 42,000 GRT places him as the most successful Soviet submarine commander. Gross Register Tonnage (GRT) is a measure of the internal volume of a ship, representing its cargo or passenger capacity, rather than its weight. This metric is commonly used in naval history to quantify the impact of submarine warfare on enemy shipping.

Beyond the Wilhelm Gustloff, S-13 under Marinesko also sank another significant German transport, the SS General von Steuben, on February 10, 1945, adding another 14,660 GRT to his total. This second sinking further underscored his tactical prowess and effectiveness in disrupting German naval operations in the Baltic at a critical juncture of the war.

Post-War Life and Delayed Recognition

Despite his undeniable wartime achievements, Alexander Marinesko's post-war life was fraught with challenges and lacked the immediate recognition typically afforded to heroes. His reputation suffered due to personal issues, including disciplinary infractions and alleged misconduct, which led to his demotion from captain third rank to senior lieutenant in 1945. He was later discharged from the navy in 1946. Marinesko faced further adversity, including a period of imprisonment in a Kolyma labor camp in 1949 on charges of embezzlement, though he was later released. He spent his final years working various civilian jobs, living a modest and largely unheralded existence.

The reasons for the delayed recognition of Marinesko are complex, stemming from a combination of his personal conduct, internal naval politics, and the prevailing Soviet political climate. It was only during the era of Glasnost and Perestroika, as the Soviet Union underwent significant reforms and historical re-evaluations, that Marinesko's true contributions were officially acknowledged. On May 5, 1990, nearly 27 years after his death, Alexander Marinesko was posthumously awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union by decree of President Mikhail Gorbachev. This posthumous honor finally enshrined his legacy as one of the most important and effective submarine commanders of World War II, recognizing his immense impact on naval warfare despite the personal hardships he endured.

Frequently Asked Questions about Alexander Marinesko

Who was Alexander Marinesko?

Alexander Marinesko was a Soviet naval officer who commanded the submarine S-13 during World War II, famously sinking the German transport ship Wilhelm Gustloff.

What was the significance of the Wilhelm Gustloff sinking?

The sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff on January 30, 1945, resulted in one of the largest maritime losses of life in history, estimated to be between 5,000 and 9,000 people. While controversial due to civilian casualties, the ship was a legitimate military target due to its armed status and role in military evacuation.

Why was Marinesko considered the most successful Soviet submarine commander?

He is recognized as such based on the gross register tonnage (GRT) of enemy ships sunk under his command, totaling 42,000 GRT. This includes the Wilhelm Gustloff and the SS General von Steuben.

Why was Alexander Marinesko awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union posthumously?

Marinesko's post-war life was marked by disciplinary issues and imprisonment, leading to his discharge from the navy and lack of immediate official recognition. His contributions were finally acknowledged posthumously in 1990 during a period of historical re-evaluation in the Soviet Union.

What is Gross Register Tonnage (GRT)?

GRT is a unit of measurement representing the total internal volume of a ship, commonly used to describe the capacity of merchant vessels. In naval warfare, it quantifies the impact of sinkings on enemy shipping resources.