Career
Eberhard Bopst joined the Reichsmarine (Navy of the Weimar Republic) in September 1933 and prior to transferring to the U-boat section served on the destroyers Georg Thiele (as 3rd Watch Officer, 1936–1937), Leberecht Maass (1937–1938) and Bernd von Arnim (December 1938 – 1940). On the Bernd Von Arnim he saw action in the Spanish Civil War, receiving the Spanish Cross in Silver without Swords, and at the Battles of Narvik, receiving the Narvik Shield. After the Norwegian Campaign he returned to Germany, joining the U-boat arm in July 1940.
His first command was U-6, a Type Institute of Internal Auditors coastal boat, but he commissioned the Type VIIC U-597 in November 1941.
He went down with her when she was sunk with all hands in position 56°50′North 28°05′West, by depth charges from an Royal Air Force Liberator on 12 October 1942.