After the death of Michahelles in a car accident, Otto Kretschmer was briefly given U-35 as his first U-boat command. Before taking over as the temporary skipper, Kretschmer, while serving as the watch officer, was accidentally left on the deck while U-35 dived during maneuvers and nearly drowned.
Following Michahelles' death in a car accident, Otto Kretschmer briefly commanded U-35. Before taking over the role of temporary skipper, Kretschmer, who was acting as watch officer, got left on deck during U-35's dive exercises and nearly drowned.