"Ali" Cremer was born in Metz Lorraine on 25 March 1911, he started his naval career in August of 1932 after studing law for six semesters.

      Cremer completed the one year of basic on board  training on the light cruiser Koln. After a few months aboard the cruiser Deutschland, Leutnant Cremer served for three years in naval artillery.He then became II WO on the destroyer Theodor Riedel. In August of 1940 he transferred to U-boats.

      In January of 1941 Kptlt Cremer took command of the U-152 which was a type II coastal boat. This boat only served as a training boat but, after a few months Cremer took command of U-333 a type VII boat. Cremer chose the symbol of "Three Little Fishes" to go along with the boats number.

      Cremer began his first patrol with no combat experience, yet, he sank three ships on his first combat patrol,(In Canadian waters) unfortunatly he also sank the German blockade runner Spreewald. Donitz investigated the accident and decided Cremer was not to blame. (Donitz's son-in-law, Gunter Hessler also came to Cremer's defense. I may go into this story a little later) During Cremers next patrol into U.S. waters he was also succesful sinking four ships, he also brought his badly damaged boat back after being rammed.

       On his third patrol he was severly wounded by gunfire from the corvette H.M.S. Crocus. Seven crew men died during this incident. But again Cremer brought his badly damaged boat back to base. It was after this patrol that Cremer was given the nick name "Ali Wrack" (Ali Wreck) Still Cremers crewmembers said of their commander that, "Ali on board is the best life insurance." Cremer spent three months in the hospital on account of his wounds.

      From February - May 1943 Cremer served on Donitz's staff. After the terrible U-boat losses in May of 43, Donitz sent out some experienced officers to check out the situation, including Cremer  once again in U-333.

       Cremer then commisioned one of the new type XXI boats (U-2519) along with Topp and Witt, trying to turn the tide of battle in the Atlantic.

      In February of 1945 Cremer left U-2519 and was transferred to Marine-Panzernichungsbattillon which fought on land against British tanks. (Around Hamburg)

      On 25 April 1945 the daily "Wehrmachtsbericht" announced: A navy tank destroying unit under the command of Korvettenkapitan Cremmer.... destroyed 24 tanks during the past few days.

      In the last days of the war Cremer became the commander of Donitz's guard unit, and was present during the tragic incident when Wolfgang Luth was accidently shot and killed by a sentry.

      Cremer spent one month in British captivity, after the war he succesfully managed a couple of different businesses.

       Peter-Erich "Ali" Cremer went on eternal patrol on July 5th 1992.

                                Decorations

            10 Feb, 1940   Iron Cross 2nd Class

           10 Feb, 1940   U-boat War Badge

           11 Feb, 1940    Iron Cross First Class

           25 June 1942    Knights Cross

            27 Sept, 1944 U-boat Front Clasp