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Wünning, Joachim (Minnenschiff, "DRACHE")

Date of birth:
April 1st, 1898 (Kleinhelmsdorf, Germany)
Date of death:
September 22nd, 1944 (Vathi harbour, Samos, Greece)
Service number:
SS-Nr.: // NSDAP-Nr.:
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Crew of X/1915
00.09.1939-00.09.1940: "WIDDER"
00.10.1940-00.09.1941: Kdt, "KÖNIGIN LUISE"
01.04.1942: promoted to Korvettenkapitän der Reserve
00.05.1942-00.08.1942: Kdt, "BULGARIA"
00.08.1942-22.09.1944: Flot. Chef, 21. UJ und Kdt, "DRACHE"
22.09.1944: Beaufighter's attack on Minenschiff 'Drache' destroyed in Vathi Harbour, Samos Island zerstört

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Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
July 3rd, 1936
Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
July 2nd, 1940
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
February 27th, 1941
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
March 7th, 1941
Kriegsabzeichen für Minensuch-, U-Boots-, Jagd- und Sicherungsverbände
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 17th, 1941
Kriegsabzeichen für Hilfskreuzer
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Korvettenkapitän der Reserve (Lieutenant-Commander of Reserves)
Unit:
Kommandant, Minnenschiff, "DRACHE", 21. Unterseebootsjagdflottille
Awarded on:
January 7th, 1944
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Korvettenkapitän der Reserve (Lieutenant-Commander of Reserves)
Unit:
Kommandant, Minnenschiff, "DRACHE", 21. Unterseebootsjagdflottille
Awarded on:
October 22nd, 1944
Awarded posthumously for his achievements as one of the few Kriegsmarine specialists in naval mines. They included the laying of a mine barrier in the gulf of Finland as well as one between the island of Leros and the Turkish coast. This latter mine barrier in particular resulted in many allied ships sunk.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Sources

Photo