List of bearers of the knight's cross of the iron cross of the submarine weapon

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The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Award overview 1939–1945

The following overview contains all 145 awards of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross mentioned in the literature to members of the submarine weapon of the Navy from September 1939 to May 1945. It also includes the award of any higher levels of the Knight's Cross. So 28 members of the submarine weapon later received the oak leaves for the knight's cross, five the swords and three the diamonds. Due to the stricter award guidelines, the knight's cross within the submarine weapon was awarded proportionally less often than with other branches of the army.

39 bearers of the Knight's Cross fell or died in an accident († marked in gray) by the end of the war, including 4 bearers of oak leaves. 71 returned to civilian life after the war. 37 bearers of the Knight's Cross later served in the German Armed Forces, the German Navy or the Federal Border Police (here marked in yellow ). Nobody later served in the GDR People's Navy . 

Award overview

1939

number Surname Knight's cross Oak leaves Swords Diamonds Short biography
1. Günther Prien † October 18, 1939 October 20, 1940

1940

In 1940, 21 members of the submarine weapon received the Knight's Cross. Eleven later received the oak leaves, but not within a year. Furthermore, three of them were later awarded the swords and one, Wolfgang Lüth, the diamonds.

number Surname Knight's cross Oak leaves Swords Diamonds Short biography
2. Herbert Schultze March 1, 1940 June 12, 1941
3. Karl Doenitz April 21, 1940 April 6, 1943
4th Werner Hartmann May 9, 1940 November 5, 1944
5. Otto Schuhart May 16, 1940
6th Wilhelm Rollmann † July 31, 1940
7th Otto Kretschmer 4th August 1940 November 4th 1940 December 26, 1941
8th. Heinrich love August 14, 1940 June 10, 1941
9. Fritz-Julius Lemp † August 14, 1940
10. Hans-Rudolf Rösing August 29, 1940
11. Fritz Frauenheim August 29, 1940
12. Engelbert Endrass † September 5, 1940 June 10, 1941
13. Günter Kuhnke September 19, 1940
14th Joachim Schepke † September 24, 1940 December 1, 1940
15th Hans Jenisch October 7, 1940
16. Victor Oehrn October 21, 1940
17th Gerd Suhren October 21, 1940
18th Heinrich Bleichrodt October 24, 1940 September 23, 1942
19th Wolfgang Lüth October 24, 1940 November 13, 1942 April 15, 1943 August 9, 1943
20th Reinhard Suhren November 3, 1940 December 31, 1941 September 1, 1942
21st Heinrich Petersen November 5, 1940 (Born November 3, 1903 in Hamburg ; † June 6, 1963 in Kiel ) last in service as first lieutenant at sea . Entry into the Reichsmarine on September 1, 1919. There Reichswehr Jäger Battalion, then 5th Marine Regiment . Retired on September 3, 1931. January 1, 1935 reactivation. October 3, 1937 switch to submarine weapons. Then head helmsman on U 23 on eight patrols. Then U 99 eight patrols. Awarded the Knight's Cross for technical skills as an officer on watch on November 5, 1940. On the last patrol with U 99 on March 17, 1941, he was captured by the British. Released from this on June 24, 1947.
22nd Viktor Sagittarius December 11, 1940 July 14, 1941

1941

In 1941, 21 members of the submarine weapon received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock also received the oak leaves in the same year.

number Surname Knight's cross Oak leaves Swords Diamonds Short biography
23. Hans-Gerrit von Stockhausen † January 14, 1941
24. Karl-Heinz Moehle February 26, 1941
25th Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock February 26, 1941 December 31, 1941
26th Jürgen Oesten March 26, 1941
27. Wilhelm Schulz April 4, 1941
28. Erich Zürn April 23, 1941 (* July 23, 1906 in Stuttgart ; † August 9, 1965 in Großholzleute ) most recently in the service rank of lieutenant captain (engineer). Initially, marine military training. April 28, 1939 to October 9, 1939 Ensign (Ing.) , Later Oberfähnrich (Ing.) To Admiral Hipper . 22 December to 14 July 1941 under various commanders on U 48 9 patrols. April 23, 1941 Knight's Cross for exemplary function as chief engineer on U 48 . July 15, 1941 until the end of the war, flotilla engineer with the 5th U-Flotilla , 23rd U-Flotilla and 29th U-Flotilla .
29 Herbert Kuppisch † May 14, 1941
30th Herbert Wohlfarth May 15, 1941
31. Georg Schewe May 23, 1941
32. Claus Korth May 29, 1941
33. Erich Topp June 20, 1941 April 11, 1942 August 17, 1942
34. Günter Hessler June 24, 1941
35. Jost Metzler July 28, 1941
36. Adalbert Snow August 30, 1941 July 15, 1942
37. Rolf Mützelburg † November 17, 1941 July 15, 1942 (* June 23, 1913 in Kiel ; † September 11, 1942 in the Atlantic ). Last rank captain lieutenant. At the end of October 1939 he switched to the submarine weapon. Here commander of U 203 on 8 patrols, where he was able to sink 22 ships with 83,666 GRT. For this he received the Knight's Cross on November 17, 1941 and, as the 105th bearer of the Wehrmacht, the oak leaves on July 15, 1942.
38. Ernst Mengersen November 18, 1941
39. Friedrich Guggenberger December 10, 1941 January 8, 1943
40. Klaus Scholtz December 26, 1941 September 10, 1942
41. Gerhard Bigalk † December 26, 1941
42. Eitel-Friedrich Kentrat December 31, 1941
43. Robert Gysae December 31, 1941 May 31, 1943

1942

In 1942, 31 members of the submarine weapon were awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Both Reinhard Hardegen and Karl-Friedrich Merten were awarded the oak leaves in the same year.

number Surname Knight's cross Oak leaves Swords Diamonds Short biography
44. Reinhard Hardegen January 23, 1942 April 23, 1942
45. Hans Diedrich von Tiesenhausen January 27, 1942
46. Nikolai Asmus Clausen † March 13, 1942
47. Ernst Bauer March 16, 1942
48. Johann Mohr † March 27, 1942 January 13, 1943
49. Otto Ites March 28, 1942
50. Richard Zapp April 23, 1942 (* April 3, 1904 in Germersheim ; † July 17, 1964 in Kiel ). Most recently in the rank of frigate captain. Entry into the Reichsmarine on May 1, 1923. From April 1940 U-training and from September 1940 commanders training. January 1941 to June 1942 commander of U 66 . Then until May 1945, flotilla chief of the 3rd U-Flotilla . 5 patrols with U 66 where 16 ships with 103,541 GRT were sunk and 1 ship with 12,502 GRT was damaged. Double mention in the Wehrmacht report. French captivity from May 9, 1945 to July 5, 1947.
51. Werner Winter June 5, 1942 (* March 26, 1912 in Hamburg ; † September 9, 1972 in Kiel ) Most recently in the service rank of sea captain in the German Navy. April 9, 1930 Joined the Reichsmarine. July 1935 U-training as officer on watch, from October 1937 commander of U 22 . Later also commander of U 103 . 15 ships with 79,301 GRT were sunk on 4 patrols. On September 18, 1944, he was taken prisoner in Brest, from which Winter was released on November 21, 1947. Joined the German Navy April 1, 1957. From December 1957, he was in command of Kiel and later in command of the destroyer Z-1 . Most recently in command of Marine Telecommunications Section 7. Retired on March 31, 1970.
52. Peter-Erich Cremer June 5, 1942
53. Karl-Friedrich Merten June 13, 1942 November 16, 1942
54. Hans-Werner Kraus June 19, 1942
55. Erwin Rostin † June 28, 1942 (* October 28, 1907 in Güstrow ; † June 30, 1942 in the West Atlantic ) Last in the service rank of corvette captain. October 4, 1933 Entry into the Reichsmarine. March 1941 underground training, from June 1941 commanders training. From September 25, 1941 in command of U 158 . 17 ships with 100,849 GRT were sunk on 2 patrols. U 158 was sunk on June 30, 1942 . There were no survivors.
56. Heinz Otto Schultze † July 9, 1942 (* September 13, 1915 in Kiel ; † November 25, 1943 in the South Atlantic ) Last in the service rank of lieutenant captain. April 8, 1934 Joined the Reichsmarine. May 1937 U training, from January 1940 commanders training. From April 26, 1941 in command of U 432 and later U 849 . On 8 patrols, including 7 with U 432 , 18 ships with 64,665 GRT and one ship with 210 ts could be sunk. U 849 was sunk on November 25, 1943 . There were no survivors.
57. Georg Lassen August 10, 1942 March 7, 1943
58. Helmut Rosenbaum † August 12, 1942 (* May 11, 1913 in Döbeln ; † May 10, 1944 with Constanța ) Last in the service rank of corvette captain. August 15, 1932 Joined the Reichsmarine. February 1937 U training, from March 1939 commanders training. From September 1940 commander of U 73 . On 8 patrols, 7 ships with 57,771 GRT could be sunk. October 1942 to May 10, 1944 Flotilla commander of the 30th U-Flotilla. Was killed in a plane crash on May 10, 1944.
59. Adolf Cornelius Piening August 13, 1942
60. Heinrich Schonder † August 19, 1942 (* July 23, 1910 in Erfurt ; † June 24, 1943 in the North Atlantic ) Last in the service rank of corvette captain. April 5, 1935 Joined the Reichsmarine. January 1938 U-training, from May 1940 commanders training. May 1, 1942 to September 7, 1942 in command of U 77 , later U 200 . 8 patrols, including 7 with U 77 , 8 ships with 28,654 GRT, 8 sailors with 660 GRT and a destroyer with 1,690 ts could be sunk. U 200 was sunk on June 24, 1943 . There were no survivors.
61. Karl Thurmann † August 24, 1942 (* September 4, 1909 in Mülheim an der Ruhr ; † lost in the North Atlantic since January 20, 1943 ) Last in the service rank of corvette captain. April 1, 1928 Joined the Reichsmarine. April 1940 underground training, from August 1940 commandant training. From December 23, 1942 commander of U 553 . On 10 patrols, 13 ships with 64,612 GRT were sunk. U 553 has been missing since January 20, 1943 . On this day U 553 met with U 465 and handed over the nautical yearbook. Then the two submarines parted ways. January 28, 1943 was then determined as the official date of death.
62. Ernst Kals September 1, 1942 (* August 2, 1905 in Glauchau ; † November 8, 1979 in Emden ) Last in the service rank of sea captain. March 31, 1924 Joined the Reichsmarine. October 1940 underground training, from February 1941 commanders training. From June 11, 1941 in command of U 130 . Here he managed to sink 20 ships with 145,655 GRT on 5 patrols. As of January 1943, head of the 3rd U-Flotilla. There he was taken prisoner by the French on May 8, 1945, from which he was released on January 20, 1948.
63. Werner Hartenstein † September 17, 1942
64. Günther Krech September 17, 1942
65. Otto von Bülow October 20, 1942 April 26, 1943
66. Helmut Witte October 22, 1942
67. Siegfried Strelow † October 27, 1942 (* April 15, 1911 in Kiel ; † July 9, 1943 in the North Atlantic ) Last in the service rank of corvette captain. Entry into the Reichsmarine on April 1, 1931. From April 1941 U-course and August 1941 commanders training. From February 1943 commander of U 435 , with which he was able to sink 11 ships with 57,023 GRT on 8 patrols. U 435 was sunk on July 9, 1943 . There were no survivors.
68. Fritz Poske November 6, 1942
69. Carl Emmermann November 27, 1942 4th July 1943
70. Günther Müller-Stöckheim † November 27, 1942
71. Wilhelm Dommes December 2, 1942 (* April 16, 1907 in Buchberg ( West Prussia ); † January 23, 1990 in Hanover ) Most recently in the service rank of frigate captain. Entry into the Reichsmarine on January 23, 1933. From April 1940 U-course and September 1940 commanders training. From April 1941 commander of U 431 , with which he was able to sink 6 ships with 11,401 GRT on 10 patrols. Subsequently, commander of U 178 on a patrol, where again 6 ships with 32,484 GRT could be sunk. From January 1944 base manager in Shonan (Singapore). There from May 9 to October 1, 1947, first Japanese internment, later British captivity in Great Britain.
72. Hans Ludwig Witt December 17, 1942 (* December 25, 1909 in Bautzen ; † February 13, 1980 in Hamburg ) Most recently in the service rank of corvette captain. Entry into the Reichsmarine on April 1, 1929. From October 1940 U-course and December 1941 commanders training. From May 1942 commander of U 129 , with which he was able to sink 19 ships with 100,773 GRT on 3 patrols. Subsequently assistant speaker. On January 26, 1945 in command of U 3524 , no patrols. British prisoner of war on May 8, 1945.
73. Werner Henke † December 17, 1942 4th July 1943
74. Hermann Rasch December 29, 1942

1943

In 1943, 34 people with the submarine weapon received the Knight's Cross. Albrecht Brandi also received the oak leaves in the same year.

number Surname Knight's cross Oak leaves Swords Diamonds Short biography
75. Harro Schacht † January 9, 1943
76. Albrecht Achilles † January 16, 1943
77. Herbert Schneider † January 16, 1943 (* June 25, 1915 in Nuremberg ; † February 23, 1943 in the Central Atlantic ) Last in the rank of captain lieutenant. April 8, 1934 Joined the Reichsmarine. 1936 to September 1940 Luftwaffe. Then U-boat training and later officer on watch on U 123 . Commanders training 1941/1942. 2 patrols as commander of U 522 . 7 ships with 45,826 GRT sunk, 2 damaged with 12,479 GRT.
78. Ulrich Heyse January 21, 1943 (* September 20, 1906 in Berlin ; † November 19, 1970 in Flensburg ) Most recently in the service rank of corvette captain. Entry into the Reichsmarine on October 4, 1933. From 1940 U-boat training. 5 patrols as commander of U 128 , whereby 15 ships with 83,638 GRT could be sunk.
79. Albrecht Brandi January 21, 1943 April 11, 1943 May 9, 1944 November 24, 1944
80. Siegfried Freiherr von Forstner † February 9, 1943 (Born September 19, 1910 in Hanover ; † October 13, 1943 in the North Atlantic ) Last in the service rank of corvette captain. Entry into the Reichsmarine April 1, 1930. Submarine training from April 1940. 8 patrols as commander of U 402 , whereby 12 ships with 71,036 GRT could be sunk.
81. Gerhard Bielig February 10, 1943 (* April 28, 1916 in Hanover ; † September 29, 2004 ) Most recently in the service rank of Kapitänleutnant Ing .. Entry into the Reichsmarine April 8, 1934. From 1937 U-boat training. 16 patrols as chief engineer of U 29 , U 103 and U 177 . Also bearer of the German Cross in gold. Release from captivity on February 15, 1947
82. Erich Würdemann † March 14, 1943
83. Reinhart Reche March 17, 1943 (* December 13, 1915 in Kreuzburg ; † March 3, 1993 in Bonn ) Most recently in the service rank of sea captain in the German Navy. Entry into the Reichsmarine April 8, 1934. From April 1940 U-boat training and October 1941 commanders training. 6 patrols as commander of U 255 , whereby 10 ships with 54,042 GRT could be sunk. 2nd July 1956 joined the German Navy. There until 1959 training manager for submarines. 1961 to 1964 assignment as a speaker in SHAPE Paris Pay and Procurement Division. Subsequently planning consultant for naval defense technology in the Federal Ministry of Defense. March 31, 1974 Retired. Reche was also a holder of the Federal Cross of Merit.
84. Hans Hartwig Trojer † March 24, 1943 (* January 22, 1916 in Birthälm ; † September 27, 1943 in the North Atlantic ) Last in the service rank of lieutenant captain. Entry into the Reichsmarine April 3, 1936. Submarine training from April 1938. 5 patrols as commander of U 221 , whereby 12 ships with 69,731 GRT could be sunk.
85. Harald Gelhaus March 26, 1943 (* July 24, 1915 in Göttingen ; † December 2, 1997 in Bochum ) Last in the service rank of lieutenant captain. Entry into the Reichsmarine April 5, 1935. Submarine training from October 1939. 9 patrols as commander of U 143 and U 107 , whereby 19 ships with 100,383 GRT could be sunk.
86. Karl Neitzel March 27, 1943 (* January 30, 1901 in Kolberg ; † November 13, 1966 in Kiel ) Last in the service rank of sea captain. Entry into the Imperial Navy July 1, 1917. Submarine training from February 1941. 2 patrols as commander of U 510 , whereby 5 ships with 28,496 GRT could be sunk.
87. Günther Seibicke † March 27, 1943 (* August 30, 1911 in Eggersdorf ; † May 26, 1943 in the North Atlantic ) Last in the service rank of corvette captain. Entry into the Reichsmarine on August 29, 1932. From April 1941, U-boat training and commanders' course. 8 patrols as commander of U 436 , whereby 6 ships with 35,774 GRT could be sunk.
88 Ulrich Folkers † March 27, 1943 (* March 6, 1915 in Kiel ; † May 6, 1943 in the North Atlantic ) Last in the service rank of lieutenant captain. Entry into the Reichsmarine April 8, 1934. From April 1940 U-boat training and commanding course. 5 patrols as commander of U 125 , 17 ships with 82,872 GRT could be sunk.
89. Hans Heidtmann April 12, 1943
90. Helmut Möhlmann April 16, 1943 (* June 25, 1913 in Kiel ; † April 12, 1977 in Prien am Chiemsee ) Most recently in the service rank of frigate captain in the German Navy. Entry into the Reichsmarine April 1, 1933. From March 1941 U-boat training and commanders' course. 7 patrols as commander of U 596 , whereby 4 ships with 27,326 GRT could be sunk.
91. Gunter Jahn April 30, 1943 (* September 27, 1910 in Hamburg ; † April 12, 1992 in Krailling ) Last in the service rank of corvette captain. Entry into the Reichsmarine April 8, 1931. From April 1940 submarine training and from November 1940 commanders training. 8 patrols as commander of U 571 , whereby 7 ships with 47,169 GRT could be sunk. July 1, 1960 joined the German Navy. There from April 1965 to November 1969 military attaché at the German Embassy in Rio de Janeiro. Subsequently, until March 31, 1970, he was assigned to Military District Command VI Munich, where he was later on leave and retired.
92. Klaus Bargsten April 30, 1943 (* October 31, 1911 in Bad Oldesloe ; † October 25, 2000 in Hamburg ) Last in the service rank of lieutenant captain. Entry into the Reichsmarine April 3, 1936. From April 1939 U-boat training and commanding course. 7 patrols as commander of U 563 , three of them by U 521 whereby 4 ships with 20,277 GRT and a destroyer with 750 ts could be sunk. On June 2, 1943, he was captured by the United States, after Bargsten was the only one to survive the sinking of his boat after being shot at.
93. Wilhelm Franconia † April 16, 1943 (* September 11, 1914 in Schildesche ; † January 13, 1945 in Kiel ) Last in the service rank of corvette captain. Entry into the Reichsmarine April 5, 1935. From October 1940 U-boat training and 1942 commanders course. 14 patrols as commander of U 565 , whereby 3 ships with 12,902 GRT and a destroyer with 1,540 ts could be sunk. Died on January 13, 1945 in a ship fire in the Dar es Salaam .
94. Günther Heydemann July 3, 1943 (* January 11, 1914 in Greifswald ; † January 2, 1986 in Hamburg ) Last in the service rank of lieutenant captain. Entry into the Reichsmarine April 1, 1933. From April 1940 U-boat training and commanding course. 8 patrols as commander of U 575 , whereby eight ships with 65,787 GRT could be sunk or damaged.
95. Friedrich Markworth July 8, 1943
96. Georg Staats † July 14, 1943 (* March 13, 1916 in Bremen ; † November 12, 1943 in the Bay of Biscay ) Last in the service rank of lieutenant captain. Entry into the Reichsmarine April 5, 1935. From April 1940 U-boat training and April 1941 commanders course. 8 patrols as commander of U 575 , whereby 8 ships with 36,105 GRT GRT could be sunk.
97. Gerd Kelbing August 19, 1943 (* June 12, 1915 in Salzbrunn ) Last in the service rank of lieutenant captain. Entry into the Reichsmarine April 8, 1934. From January 1941 U-boat training and June 1941 commanders training course. 15 patrols as commander of U 593 , whereby 11 ships with 47,536 GRT could be sunk as well as 3 destroyers with 2,902 ts.
98 Herbert Panknin September 4, 1943 (* December 27, 1913 in Neustettin ; † March 15, 2001 in Langen-Sievern ) Most recently in the service rank of sea captain in the German Navy. Entry into the Reichsmarine April 8, 1934. Submarine training from September 1927. 15 patrols as chief engineer of U 57 , U 106 and U 861 under different commanders. Also bearer of the German Cross in gold. December 22, 1958 Entry into the German Navy rose there to the command of the Technical Naval School III in Bremerhaven until 1966. March 31, 1972 Retired.
99 Willi Lechtenbörger † September 4, 1943 (* February 2, 1914 in Bottrop ; † August 27, 1943 in the West Atlantic ) Last in the service rank of lieutenant captain (Ing) in the reserve. Entry into the Reichsmarine on December 1, 1934. From March 1937 U-candidate with technical training. February 1940 U-course. 7 patrols as an engineer on U 201 , later on U 847 . Also bearer of the German Cross in gold
100. Heinz Krey † September 4, 1943 (* December 31, 1921 in Wiesbaden ; † May 23, 1943 in the North Atlantic ) Last in the service rank of lieutenant (engineer). Entry into the Kriegsmarine December 1, 1939. From July 1941 U-course. 2 patrols as an engineering student on U 703 , one patrol from senior engineer on U 752 . On May 23, 1943 U 752 was forced to surface after being hit by a water bomb. As the chief engineer, Krey kept the boat afloat until the 17 survivors were able to escape from the boat. When two British destroyers approached, Krey decided to submerge herself, but could not leave the boat before it went down. There were 30 deaths. Krey was posthumously awarded the Knight's Cross for this.
101. August mouse September 21, 1943
102. Dietrich Schöneboom † October 20, 1943 (* December 4, 1917 in Amdorf ; † November 18, 2003 in Hagen ) Last in the service rank Kapitänleutnant Ing .. Entry to the Reichsmarine March 1, 1934. From February 1940 U-course. Subsequently chief engineer on U 146 and later on U 38 and U 181 under different commanders on 5 patrols.
103. Carl-August Landfermann October 27, 1943 (* July 14, 1917 in Dortmund ; † October 21, 1943 in the Mediterranean ) Last in the service rank Oberleutnant zur See. Entry into the Kriegsmarine April 3, 1937. From September 1941 UWO course, from July 1942 commanders course. 6 patrols as commander of U 431 , whereby 1 ship and 4 sailors with 6,680 GRT could be sunk.
104. Hellmut Rohweder November 14, 1943 (* January 17, 1914 in Hagen ; † February 9, 2008 in Flinmtbek ) Most recently in the service rank of sea captain in the German Navy. Entry into the Reichsmarine April 8, 1935. From October 1938 U-course for engineers. 12 patrols as an engineer, later chief engineer of U 17 , U 69 , U 514 and U 673 under different commanders. April 4, 1956 Joined the German Navy. There until 1958 he was a consultant at the Federal Ministry of Defense. Most recently, he was in command and senior position in Defense District Command 115 in Kiel. March 31, 1972 Retired. Rohweder was also a holder of the German Cross in Gold.
105. Egon Reiner Freiherr von Schlippenbach November 19, 1943
106. Horst-Arno Fenski November 26, 1943 (* November 3, 1918 in Königsberg ; † February 10, 1965 in Hamburg ) Last in the service rank Oberleutnant zur See. Entry into the Kriegsmarine October 9, 1937 6 patrols as commander of U 410 . 1 ship with 7,154 GRT sunk and a destroyer with 5,270 ts. Caught in the US as a prisoner of war on May 4, 1944. Released from this on May 4, 1946.
107. Heinz Franke November 30, 1943 (* November 30, 1915 in Berlin-Steglitz ; † April 5, 2003 in Sasbach ) Most recently in the service rank of frigate captain in the German Navy. 4 patrols as commander of U 262 . 3 ships with 13,935 GRT and a corvette with 925 ts sunk. December 1, 1957 joined the Bundeswehr. There until March 31, 1972, when he retired, he was assistant in the Department of Military Studies.
108. Max-Martin Teichert † December 19, 1943 (* January 31, 1915 in Kiel ; † May 12, 1943 in the Atlantic ) Last in the service rank of lieutenant captain. 11 patrols as commander of U 456 . 6 ships with 31,721 GRT sunk.

1944

In 1944, 26 members of the submarine weapon received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.

number Surname Knight's cross Oak leaves Swords Diamonds Short biography
109. Johannes Koitschka January 27, 1944 (* August 6, 1917 in Siebitz ; † May 17, 2002 in Lohra ) Last in the service rank of lieutenant captain. 9 patrols as commander with U 616 . 3 ships with 19,593 GRT and 1 ship with 1,570 ts sunk. Also bearer of the German Cross in gold. Released from captivity on June 1, 1946.
110. Hans-Jürgen Hellriegel † February 3, 1944
111. Siegfried Lüdden † February 11, 1944 (* May 20, 1916 in Neubrandenburg ; † January 13, 1945 in Kiel ) Last in the service rank of corvette captain. 3 patrols as commander with U 188 . 7 ships with 50,915 GRT and 1 ship with 1,190 ts sunk. Died in the ship fire of the Dar es Salaam .
112. Johann Friedrich Wessels March 9, 1944 (* May 28, 1904 in Wilhelmshaven ; † February 9, 1988 in Oldenburg ) Last in the service rank of Corvette Captain (Ing.). 5 patrols as chief engineer on U 47 and U 198 . Released from British captivity on January 29, 1947.
113. Gustav Poel March 21, 1944
114. Waldemar flour March 28, 1944 (* September 7, 1914 in Grävenwiesbach ; † March 29, 1996 ) Last in the service rank of corvette captain. 12 patrols as commander of U 371 . 6 ships with 42,442 GRT and 3 ships with 2,831 ts were sunk. Employed in the German mine clearance service from May 1945 to August 1945 .
115. Alfred Eick March 31, 1944 (* March 9, 1916 in Essen ; † April 12, 2015 in Bielefeld ) Most recently in the service rank Oberleutnant zur See. 5 patrols as commander of U 510 . Here 10 ships with 67,191 GRT sunk. Also bearer of the German Cross in Gold and one mention in the Wehrmacht report on March 31, 1944. Released from French captivity on July 26, 1947.
116. Georg Olschewski April 23, 1944 (* June 2, 1911 in Horstmar ; † September 29, 1996 in Immenstadt ) Last in the service rank of frigate captain . 7 patrols as a machinist later as chief engineer on U 66 under various commanders. June 18, 1957 Joined the German Navy . There he was a squadron machine officer and later head of the ship technology department at the command of the mine forces. August 1964 to September 1967 Head of Department for Material Management and Repairs in the Marine Section Command North Sea. September 20, 1967 Awarded the Federal Cross of Merit on ribbon . September 30, 1967 Adoption of retirement.
117. Walter Kaeding May 15, 1944 (* September 14, 1915 in Berlin ; † January 4, 1991 in Bremen ) Last in the service rank of lieutenant at sea. 4 patrols as head helmsman on U 123 . Also bearer of the German Cross in gold.
118. Horst Hofmann May 20, 1944 (* January 18, 1919 in Cranzahl ; † June 14, 1978 in Lübeck ) Most recently in the senior management position. 11 patrols as boatswain's mate or chief helmsman on U 134 and U 672 . Also bearer of the German Cross in gold.
119. Karl-Heinz Wiebe May 22, 1944 (* April 10, 1916 in Kiel ; † December 1, 2012 in Bremen ) Most recently in the service rank of Corvette Captain dR. 8 patrols as an engineer or chief engineer on U 67 and U 178 . 1958 Joined the Bundeswehr. Used there in the shipbuilding command of the German Navy. From June 1959 to August 1961 Head of Training at the Technical Naval School III.
120. Horst von Schroeter June 1, 1944
121. Reinhard Koenig July 8, 1944 (* March 30, 1909 in Hanau ; † March 28, 1998 in Bischofsheim) Most recently in the rank of captain lieutenant (engineer). 4 patrols as an engineer or chief engineer on U 123 and U 2506 . Also bearer of the Spanish Cross in bronze with swords and the German Cross in gold.
122. Heinz Sieder † July 8, 1944 (* June 28, 1920 in Munich ; † August 20, 1944 in the Biscaya ) Most recently in First Lieutenant zS. 4 patrols as commander of U 984 .
123. Johann-Otto Krieg July 8, 1944
124. Karl Fleige July 18, 1944 (* September 5, 1905 in Hildesheim ; † February 16, 1975 in Erzhausen ) last lieutenant captain. 19 patrols, including 6 as a commander on U 18 and U 4712 . Also bearer of the German Cross in gold. British prisoner of war from May 9, 1945 to August 1, 1945 in Norway.
125. Karl-Heinz Marbach July 22, 1944
126. Hermann Stuckmann † August 11, 1944 (* January 2, 1921 in Wuppertal ; † August 18, 1944 in the Biscaya ) Last lieutenant zS. 9 patrols, including 3 as commander on U 621 . Here, the sinking of two ships with 4,428 GRT.
127. Heinrich Dammeier August 12, 1944 (* February 9, 1914 in Beckedorf (Saxony); † May 16, 2001 ibid); most recently in the rank of chief machinist. 10 patrols on U 129 under different commanders from July 1941 to July 1944. Then U 270 until its sinking with subsequent imprisonment of war. Bearer of the Spanish Cross in bronze and silver with swords. German Cross in Gold on February 12, 1944. Awarded the Knight's Cross on August 12, 1944 for preventing the U 270 from sinking quickly until all 71 people had left the submarine.
128. Hans-Günther Lange August 26, 1944 April 29, 1945
129. Heinrich Timm September 17, 1944 (* April 30, 1910 in Bremen ; † April 12, 1974 in the Axstedt ) Last frigate captain. 10 patrols as commander of U 251 and U 862 . Sinking nine ships with 53,782 GRT. December 1, 1955 Joined the German Navy. Head of the Infrastructure Unit in the Naval Section Command North. Later in command of the school frigate Scharnhorst . Subsequently, he was a consultant in the naval weapons command and from April 1965 site commander in Flensburg. September 30, 1966 Adoption of retirement.
130. Gerhard Schaar October 1, 1944 (* March 5, 1919 in Berlin ; † January 24, 1983 in the Maseru ( Lesotho )) last lieutenant captain. 6 patrols as commander of U 957 . One ship with 7,135 GRT and another with 200 ts were sunk. Also bearer of the German Cross in gold. Later commander of U 2551 , but no patrols.
131. Hans-Joachim Förster † October 18, 1944 (* February 20, 1920 in Groß Köris ; † February 24, 1945 in the English Channel ) Last lieutenant zS. 3 patrols as commander of U 480 . The sinking of three ships with 14,621 GRT and another with 925 ts.
132. Paul Brasack October 30, 1944
133. Rudolf Mühlbauer December 10, 1944 (* March 27, 1919 in Königsbrück ( Saxony ); † March 26, 2000 in Laußnitz ) most recently in the rank of senior boatman . 9 patrols on U 123 under different commanders until June 1942. Then four patrols U 170 . January 10, 1944 Awarded the German Cross in Gold. Knight's Cross for 13 patrols and for previous services. Nickname "sharpest eye of the submarine weapon". Furthermore, the submarine front clasp was worn in silver. Released from British captivity in July 1945.
134. Günther Pulst December 21, 1944 (Born March 26, 1918 in Braunschweig ; † January 5, 1991 in Bonn ) last lieutenant captain. 2 patrols as commander of U 978 . Here the sinking of a ship with 7,176 GRT. September 1, 1947 joined the German Armed Forces. Initially there was a department head in the military administration in Hanover, later head of the administration department at the Federal Ministry of Defense. 1963 to 1967 financial controller at NATO in Paris. 1967 to 1983 Ministerialrat in the Federal Ministry of Defense. Retired March 31, 1983. Also holder of the Federal Cross of Merit.

1945

From January to May 1945, another 11 members of the submarine weapon received the Knight's Cross. Rolf Thomsen was the only member of the family to receive the Oak Leaves just a few months later after being awarded the Knight's Cross.

number Surname Knight's cross Oak leaves Swords Diamonds Short biography
135. Rolf Thomsen January 4, 1945 April 29, 1945
136. Ernst Hechler January 21, 1945 (* November 21, 1907 in Lauterbach ; † October 23, 1965 in Alzey ). Last rank of corvette captain. 1928 pilot training, then until April 30, 1935 Reichsmarine, later Kriegsmarine. May 1, 1935 moved to the Air Force. There Aviation School Warnemünde, later a squadron captain in KGr 126, followed by Kampfgeschwader 28 . May 1942 to the end of June 1943 group leader in the staff of the air mine inspector in the Reich Aviation Ministry. July 1, 1943, he was transferred back to the Navy and took courses in submarines and trained as commanders. From February 3, 1944 to March 30, 1945 in command of U 870 . 2 ships with 6,482 GRT sunk and one ship with 335 ts. Then briefly employed in the staff of the commander of the submarines until the end of the war.
137. Kurt Dobratz January 23, 1945 (* April 9, 1904 in Stettin ; † December 21, 1996 in Bremen ). Last rank of sea captain. March 30, 1922 Joined the Reichsmarine. There until September 30, 1935. Then resigned from the Navy and transferred to the Air Force. There squadron captain in Kampfgeschwader 255 with the rank of lieutenant colonel in the air force. Later colonel in the Air Force and commander of the I. Group of Kampfgeschwader 26 . April 1, 1943 Transfer to the Kriegsmarine, there training in submarine weapons and commanders training. From March 8, 1944 in command of U 1232 . 4 ships with 24,535 GRT sunk. From April 1945 until the end of the war, initially chief of staff at the commanding admiral of the submarines, from May 1945 commissioned as commanding admiral of the submarines with the management of business.
138. Johann Limbach February 6, 1945 (* December 9, 1912 in Uerdingen ; † March 6, 1993 in Düsseldorf ). Last rank first lieutenant zS. 7 patrols as a helmsman, later second and first watch officers on U 43 and U 181 .
139. Hans Georg Hess February 11, 1945 (* May 29, 1923 in Berlin ; † March 29, 2008 ). Last rank first lieutenant zSdR. 7 patrols as commander of U 995 . Here 3 ships, 2 U-fighters and 1 motorboat with a total of 11,396 GRT sunk. 8 May 1945 to June 1946 prisoner of war in Horten , later Larvik .
140 Otto Westphalen March 23, 1945 (* March 12, 1920 in Hamburg ; † January 9, 2008 ). Last rank lieutenant zS. 12 patrols, six of them as commander of U 968 . Here 3 ships with 25,215 GRT and 2 corvettes with 2,700 ts sunk. Unique mention in the Wehrmacht report on March 24, 1945. After the end of the war, British prisoner of war in Loch Eriboll .
141. Philipp Lichtenberg March 31, 1945 (* September 9, 1908 in Kobenz ; † December 14, 1993 ). Last rank of frigate captain. 15 patrols as a machinist, later chief engineer on U 18 , U 652 and U 516 under different commanders. Bearer of the German Cross in Gold. 15 May 1945 to 1 March 1946 British prisoner of war in Loch Eriboll . February 11, 1956 Entry into the Bundeswehr. There auxiliary later department head in command of naval training. On September 30, 1954, he took temporary retirement.
142. Hans Johannsen March 31, 1945 (Born January 29, 1913 in Stadum ; † March 5, 1961 in Burg ). Last rank lieutenant Ing. 14 patrols as a machinist, later engineer, 10 of them on U 96 and four on U 802 . 1 ship sunk at 335 ts. Also bearer of the German Cross in gold. May 11, 1945 surrender in Loch Eriboll . Subsequently in British captivity until May 1948.
143. Heinz Prassdorf April 21, 1945 (* December 7, 1918 in Rostock ; † November 8, 1993 ibid) last in the rank of chief machinist. Entry into the Kriegsmarine November 1, 1937. April 22, 1939 to December 2, 1940 Corporal Sergeant on U 48 on 9 patrols. December 3, 1940 to February 19, 1941 U 557 , from February 20, 1941 on U 558 , later also on U 1203 . In addition to the Knight's Cross, he was the holder of the U-Boat War Badge (1939), the Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st Class and the U-Boat front clasp in bronze.
144. Heinrich Schroeteler May 2, 1945 (* December 10, 1915 in Essen ; † January 19, 2000 in Bochum ). Last rank captain lieutenant. 3 patrols as commander of U 667 and U 1023 . 1 ship sunk at 335 ts. Also bearer of the German Cross in gold. May 11, 1945 Surrender at Weymouth and Portland . Subsequently in British captivity until May 20, 1948.
145. Hans Lehmann May 7, 1945 (* September 24, 1915 in Brunsbüttelkoog ; † November 25, 1981 in Maschen ). Last rank first lieutenant zS. Entry into the Kriegsmarine November 1, 1938. August 1942 to June 1943 underground training. June / July 1943 commandant training. 7 patrols as commander of U 997 . Here the sinking of 2 ships with 1,749 GRT and a submarine with 146 ts. Damage to another ship with 4,287 GRT. He also received the German Cross in Gold, which he was awarded on December 28, 1944. May 16, 1945 transfer of U 997 from Narvik to Loch Eriboll with the following British prisoners of war.

Illegal award made

Due to the alleged Dönitz decree , which was propagated by the order community of knight cross bearers, another knight cross bearer of the submarine weapon appears in the literature, but the knight's cross was never legally awarded.

number Surname Knight's cross comment Short biography
- Karl Jaeckel May 8, 1945 The award of the Knight's Cross was based on the alleged Dönitz decree and is therefore legally ineffective. The award date was set by Walther-Peer Fellgiebel . (* December 20, 1913 in Gladbeck ; † December 8, 1984 in Neubrandenburg ). Last rank of chief helmsman. 7 patrols as commander of U 997 . 1 ship with 1,749 GRT and a U-fighter with 146 ts sunk. Also bearer of the German Cross in gold. May 16, 1945 surrender in Loch Eriboll . Subsequently British prisoner of war.

literature

  • Rainer Busch and Hans-Joachim Röll: The U-Boat War 1939–1945: The knight's cross bearers of the U-boat weapon from September 1939 to May 1945. Mittler and Son, 2003, ISBN 3-8132-0515-0 .