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Ruckteschell, von, Hellmuth Max

    Date of birth:
    March 23rd, 1890 (Hamburg-Eilbeck, Germany)
    Date of death:
    September 24th, 1948 (Hamburg-Fuhlsbüttel/Hamburg, Germany)
    Nationality:
    German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

    Biography

    Hellmuth von Ruckteschell was born in Hamburg on 23rd March1890. In 1909 he went into service with the Emperial Navy and served in the Frist World War as Oberleutnant zur See and commander on the „UB 34" and „U 54". After the war he served with the Merchant Navy.
    When the Second World War broke out he was called into service in 1939 as Officer of Reserves and he became the commander of the Mineship „Cobra". On 5th May 1940 he took command of the Hilfskreuzer HSK 3 „Widder". He served with this ship until October 1940. From September 1941 he became commander of the Hilfskreuzers HSK 9 „Michel" and was again very succesfull. On 3rd September 1942 he was promoted to Kapitän zur See and on 2nd March 1943 he became the Military Attache in Tokio.
    Hellmuth von Ruckteschell died on 24th September1948 in British emprisonment in the Zuchthaus Hamburg-Fuhlsbüttel.

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    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    June 22nd, 1940

    Had already received the Iron Cross 2nd Class on 10th October 1915.
    1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    1940

    Had already received the Iron Cross 1st Class on 3rd November 1916.
    1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 1er Klasse 1914
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Unit:
    Kommandant Hilfskreuzers HSK 3 „Widder“
    Awarded on:
    October 31st, 1940
    Awarded for his outstanding leadership and achievements as commander of the Hilfskreuzer “Widder”. With this ship he was able to sink a total of 10 allied merchant ships (with 58642 GRT), a major achievement for a German non-submarine vessel.
    Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Kapitän zur See der Reserve (Captain Royal Navy of Reserves)
    Unit:
    Kommandant, HSK 9 „Michel“, Kriegsmarine
    Awarded on:
    December 22nd, 1942
    Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
    Awarded for his successful second major war cruise, this time with the Hilfskreuzer “Michael”. With this ship he sunk a further 14 allied merchant ships (with 94362 GRT).

    158th Award.
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    December 30th, 1942
    Kriegsabzeichen für Hilfskreuzer (ohne Brillianten)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    March 8th, 1943
    Zuiho sho, 3rd Class
    Period:
    First World War (1914-1918)
    Awarded on:
    May 29th, 1916
    Hamburgisches Hanseatenkreuz
    Period:
    First World War (1914-1918)
    Awarded on:
    August 13th, 1918
    Ritter des Königlicher Preussischer Hausordens von Hohenzollern mit Schwertern

    Sources

    Photo