This section began in KTB #115 and is intended to familiarize our Members with many of the German (and other military) terms we see on the pages of our KTB Magazine.

Here we learn that the RITTERKREUZ is the KNIGHTS CROSS

Sound it out for yourself. ‘RITTER’ is a rider, or a mounted Knight. ‘KREUZ’ is the German word for cross. When a U-Boat Skipper sank 100,000 tons of shipping or a capital ship (battleship, aircraft carrier etc.) he was to be awarded the RITTERKREUZ. It didn’t always happen that way however. Some Skippers with great sinking records did not receive their RK while some others, who sank next to nothing (and in some cases - nothing) got their RK because of political connections or other questionable ways.

EICHENLAUB is the OAK LEAF CLUSTER

To the KNIGHTS CROSS. The original guidelines were that a Skipper had to sink 200,000 tons of shipping to earn this, but that was eased as the war grew on and chances got less and less likely for any Skipper to sink that much. Only 28 U-Boat Skippers earned their OAK LEAVES.

SCHWERTERN are the CROSSED SWORDS

Which were awarded to only five U-Boat Skippers after their OAK LEAVES. SCHWERTERN are not just mere swords, they are sabers. Of the five Skippers who won their swords, only two are still living. They are OTTO KRETSCHMER (122-LIFE-1985) and ERICH TOPP (118-LIFE-1985).

BRILLIANTEN are the DIAMONDS

Which are awarded after the SCHWERTEN and only two U-Boat Skippers received this highest award of the German Wehrmacht. The great Wolfgang Lüth earned his diamonds while it is said that Albrecht ‘Cherry’ Brandi was given his. In the German, BRILLIANTEN refers to cut diamonds rather than just mere diamonds of any other type.