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Merks, Hans-Joachim

Date of birth:
February 2nd, 1917 (Kiel/Schleswig-Holstein, Germany)
Date of death:
February 21st, 1961 (Bremen, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Hans-Joachim Merks entered in 1937 in the II. Schiffsstammabteilung der Ostsee.
He was trained on board of the "Gorch Fock" and the "Schleswig-Holstein".
After different training courses he was transferred in 1941 to the minesweepers and was Kommandant of the "R 33" and the "R 34".
After beeing WIA in 1944 he was Kommandant of the "M 104" and after January 1945 he was promoted Flottillenchef der 2.Räumboots-Flottille.

Promotions:
3rd April 1937 : Offiziersanwärter
21st September 1937 : Seekadett
1st May 1938 : Fähnrich zur See
1st July 1939 : Oberfähnrich zur See
1st August 1939 : Leutnant zur See
1st September 1941 : Oberleutnant zur See
1st April 1944 : Kapitänleutnant zur See

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant zur See (Sub-lieutenant)
Awarded on:
November 20th, 1939
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant zur See (Sub-lieutenant)
Awarded on:
October 12th, 1940
Kriegsabzeichen für Minensuch-, U-Boots-, Jagd- und Sicherungsverbände
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant zur See (Sub-lieutenant)
Awarded on:
May 12th, 1941
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1941
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4.Klasse, 4 Jahre
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant zur See
Unit:
Gruppenführer / Kommandant "R 10" / 6.Räumbootsflottille
Awarded on:
November 21st, 1942
signed by Grossadmiral Raeder.
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant zur See
Awarded on:
December 29th, 1942
received with sword.
Croce al Merito di Guerra
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant zur See
Awarded on:
August 30th, 1943
Ärmelband Afrika
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
November 6th, 1944
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Käpitanleutnant (Lieutenant)
Unit:
Chef 2.Räumbootsflottille
Awarded on:
May 6th, 1945
received the 28 May 1945
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberleutnant zur See
Awarded on:
August 8th, 1942
FPNr. : M 22990
Medaglia commemorativa della campagna italo-tedesca in Africa

Sources

Photo