During World War II, a total of 145 Knights Cross medals were awarded to men of the U-Bootwaffe. These include:

120th was Oberleutnant zur See HORST von SCHROETER (5430-1997), Skipper of U-123 (photo). The award was made 1 June 1944. He ultimately retired from the Bundsmarine at the rank of Vizeadmiral, the highest rank attained by any of the World War II U-Bootfahrer.

121st was Oberleutnant (Ing.) Reinhard König, Engineering Officer on U-123. The award was made 8 July 1944.

122nd was Oberleutnant zur See, Skipper of Heinz Seider of U-98. The award was made 8 July 1944.

123rd was Oberleutnant zur See Karl Fleige Skipper of U-18. The award was made 18 July 1944.

124th was Oberleutnant zur See Karl-Heinz Marbach, Skipper of U-953. The award was made 22 July 1944.

125th was Oberleutnant zur See Hermann Stuckmann, Skipper of U-621. The award was made 11 August 1944.

EDITOR NOTE – We notice that as the war went into its final year, there were fewer recipients at the rank of Kapitänleutnant or above, and more at the rank of Oberleutnant zur See – and more of the awards were posthumously given. It was an ominous sign.

More Ritterkreuzträger next month in KTB #177. In German, a “Ritter” is a rider, a mounted knight. “Kreuz” is a cross. “Träger” is one who holds or carries. Thus, a Ritterkreuzträger is one who holds or carries the Knights Cross. Thought you should know this information.