Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

October 17th, 1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

October 26th, 1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

November 9th, 1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Kapitänleutnant

Unit:

U-23

Awarded on:

December 17th, 1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

December 20th, 1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

August 3rd, 1940

A U-boat on patrol, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Kretschmer has sunk seven armed enemy merchantmen to a total of 56.118 brt; including three tankers sailing in convoy. Until now this U- boat has sunk 117.367 brt of enemy shipping as well as the British destroyer H.M.S. Daring.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Kapitänleutnant

Unit:

Kommandant U 99

Awarded on:

August 4th, 1940

Awarded for his successes as a U-Boat commander. While commanding U-23 he sunk 8 ships with 24899 GRT (including the British destroyer “HMS Daring”). Over the course of three more war patrols with U-99 he sunk a further 9 ships with 49704 GRT, damaged 3 with 25545 GRT, and captured 1 more with 2136 GRT.

23rd Award.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

October 19th, 1940

These results were achieved with the co-operation of the U-boat commanded by Kapitänleutnant Frauenheim with ten vessels up to 51.000 brt, the U-boat commanded by Kapitänleutnant Kretschmer with seven vessels up to 45.000 brt and the U-boat commanded by Kapitänleutnant Moehle with seven vessels up to 44.050 brt.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

November 4th, 1940

The U-boot commanded by Kapitänleutnant Kretschmer has sunk the two British auxiliary cruisers H.M.S. Laurentic of 18.724 brt and H.M.S. Patroclus of 11.314 brt as well as the armed Britsish merchantman Casanare of 5.376 brt. With this result, Kapitänleutnant Kretschmer has reached a total score of 217.198 brt making him the second U-boatcommander to have sunk more than 200.000 brt.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Kapitänleutnant

Unit:

Kommandant U 99

Awarded on:

November 4th, 1940

Awarded for sinking another 15 ships with 65654 GRT and damaging 1 more with 3106 GRT over the course of three patrols with U-99.

6th Award.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

December 17th, 1940

Kapitänleutnant Kretschmer, who has just returned with his U-boat has sunk 34.935 brt of shipping on this patrol against the enemy. With this result, this officier has reached a total score of 252.100 brt, making him the first to pass the 250.000 brt mark. Included in this total are three enemy auxiliary cruisers and the British destroyer H.M.S. Daring.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

April 25th, 1941

The U-boats commanded by Korvettenkapitän Kretschmer and Kapitänleutnant Schepke have not returned from their patrols against the enemy. Both boats have been heavily engaged in the destruction of enemy convoys in the most trying of circumstances, thereby raising their scores considerably.
In addition to having sunk three enemy destroyers, two of them during his last patrol, Korvettenkapitän Kretschmer has now sunk 313.611 brt, including the Britsish auxiliary cruisers H.M.S. Laurentic, H.M.S. Patroclus and H.M.S. Forfar. Kapitänleutnant Schepke has sunk 233.971 brt of enemy shipping.
In recognition of their outstanding services to the German people in their fight for freedom, both commanders have been awarded the Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Oakleaves to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross) and have gained eternal fame with their courageous crews. Part of the crew, including Korvettenkapitän Kretschmer, has been taken prisoner.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Korvettenkapitän

Unit:

Kommandant U 99

Awarded on:

December 26th, 1941

Awarded for his successes on his last two war patrols with U-99. In this time he sank the British auxiliary cruiser “HMS Forfar” (with 16402 GRT) and another 13 ships with 79000 GRT, furthermore damaging 1 more ship with 9314 GRT.

5th Award.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)