Mauchenheim gen. Bechtolsheim, Freiherr von, Theod

Date of birth:: August 26th, 1902 (Schloß Mainsondheim/Unterfranken, Germany)
Date of death:: April 20th, 1972 (Hannover, Germany)
Nationality:: German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Theodor Freiherr von Mauchenheim genannt Bechtolsheim was the son to Franz Freiherr von Mauchenheim.

Promotions:
October 1st, 1943: Kapitän zur See.

Career:
1923: Reichsmarine;
March 1939 - August 1942: Kommandant Zerstörer Karl Galster;
August 1942 - September 1943: 1.Admiralstabsoffizier, Stab Führer der Zerstörer;
April 1944 - June 1944: Chef 8. Zerstörerflottille, Narvik;
July 1944 - May 1945: Marine-Verbindungsoffizier, Oberbefehlshaber der Marine zum Reichssicherheitshauptamt.

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Deutsches Kreuz in Gold

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Korvettenkapitän (Lieutenant Commander)
Unit:: Kommandant, Z 20 (Karl Galster), 6. Zerstörerflottille, Kriegsmarine
Awarded on:: February 12th, 1942

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Kapitän zur See (Captain Royal Navy)
Unit:: Chef, 8. Zerstörerflottille, Kriegsmarine
Awarded on:: July 3rd, 1944

During the allied invasion of Normandy Kapitän zur See Freiherr von Mauchenheim led his destroyer flotilla into battle against the invasion fleet. NW of the Isle de Bas his ships engaged the British 10th Destroyer Flotilla. His command ship was sunk during the battle, however he managed to save his crew from the ship.

He would be awarded the Knight’s Cross for his valour here as well as his previous successes in numerous sorties, convoy escort missions and mine operations.