Ritterkreuz Action of Kurt Thoma

Kurt Thoma (4 August 1901 - 11 April 1971) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 6 October 1940 as Korvettenkapitän and Chef 2. Minensuchflottille. The following press release describes why Korvettenkapitän Thoma received the Ritterkreuz: "Korvettenkapitän Thoma, commander of a Minensuchflottille, has seen constant action since the start of the war. During the Norwegian campaign and the battle for Narvik his flotilla (inferior to every enemy destroyer unit in terms of armament and speed) was fully successful. Korvettenkapitän Thoma has conducted all of his operations with calm and pragmatism. The numerous successes of the flotilla can largely be attributed to the skill of its commander."

Source :
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/13489/Thoma-Otto-Kurt.htm

Bio of Kapitän zur See Kurt Thoma (1901-1971)

Full nama: Otto Kurt Thoma
Nickname: unknown
Date of Birth: 4 August 1901 at Staufen, Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald, Baden-Württemberg (German Empire)
Date of Death: 11 April 1971 at Oldenburg, Niedersachsen (West Germany)
NSDAP Number: unknown
SS Number: unknown
Academic Title: unknown
Family Member: unknown
Physical Feature: unknown

Beförderungen (Promotion):
01.04.1922 Matrosengefreiter
01.04.1923 Fähnrich zur See
01.10.1925 Leutnant zur See
01.07.1927 Oberleutnant zur See
01.04.1933 Kapitänleutnant
01.10.1937 Korvettenkapitän
01.09.1941 Fregattenkapitän
01.04.1943 Kapitän zur See

Karriere (Career):
Unknown
 
Orden und Ehrenzeichen (Medals and Decorations):
02.10.1936 Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht IV.Klasse, 4 jahre
02.10.1936 Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht III.Klasse, 12 Jahre
01.04.1939 Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht II.Klasse, 18 Jahre
00.00.19__ Kriegsabzeichen für Minensuch-, U-Jagd- und Sicherungsverbände
22.11.1939 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse
04.05.1940 Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse
06.10.1940 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, as Korvettenkapitän and Chef 2. Minensuchflottille. The following press release describes why Korvettenkapitän Thoma received the Ritterkreuz: "Korvettenkapitän Thoma, commander of a Minensuchflottille, has seen constant action since the start of the war. During the Norwegian campaign and the battle for Narvik his flotilla (inferior to every enemy destroyer unit in terms of armament and speed) was fully successful. Korvettenkapitän Thoma has conducted all of his operations with calm and pragmatism. The numerous successes of the flotilla can largely be attributed to the skill of its commander."
01.11.1941 Croce al Merito di Guerra (Italy)

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* In November 1941, Geißler was transferred to Sturmartillerie-Abteilung 232 after recovery from his wounds at the hospital. He fought among other things. during the relief attempt at Stalingrad , as commander of an assault gun training division at the battle of Monte Cassino and in the Kurland pocket (as Ib, then Ia of an infantry division ).

Source :
Bundesarchiv Bild 183-L09671
https://www.bild.bundesarchiv.de/dba/de/search/?topicid=dcx-thes_personen_774u7oe3y2svy9midfv
https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Thoma,_Kurt
www.deutsches-marinearchiv.de/Archiv/1935-1945/Personen/Ritterkreuz/t-z/thoma.htm
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/13489/Thoma-Otto-Kurt.htm

Ritterkreuz Action of Hans Bartels

 

Hans Bartels (5 July 1919 - 31 July 1945) received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 16 May 1940 as Käpitanleutnant and Kommandant "M 1". The following press article (dated 19 May 1940) describes why Bartels was awarded the Ritterkreuz: “Kapitänleutnant Hans Bartels, the captain of a minesweeper, showed great decisiveness while operating in the naval area around Bergen at the beginning of the Norwegian campaign. In this time he skillfully utilized all the offensive opportunities that presented themselves, demonstrating outstanding courage while supporting land operations and attacking Norwegian naval units. Although he had only minimal combat power at his disposal he managed to achieve practical naval supremacy over Bergen and the adjacent fjords through his boldness and brave devotion to duty. The occupation of Haugesund is an achievement for which he takes primary credit. Along with this high honour the Führer has simultaneously decorated his crew.”

Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2310749#p2310749
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/28529/Bartels-Hans.htm