Hellmuth von Ruckteschell
Hellmuth von Ruckteschell | |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 March 1890 Hamburg, German Empire |
| Died | 24 September 1948 (aged 58) Fuhlsbüttel Prison, Hamburg, Allied-occupied Germany |
| Allegiance | Nazi Germany |
| Branch | Kriegsmarine |
| Years of service | 1910–45 |
| Rank | Kapitän zur See |
| Commands | German auxiliary cruiser Widder German auxiliary cruiser Michel UB-34 U-54 |
| Battles / wars | World War I
World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves |
Hellmuth von Ruckteschell (22 March 1890 − 24 September 1948) was a German naval officer during World War II. He was a prominent and highly successful merchant raider commander for Nazi Germany, serving as the captain of the commerce raiders Widder and Michel. Following the end of the War, as a result of having ordered firing to murder surrendered survivors, Ruckteschell was convicted of war crimes and died in prison.