Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Käpitanleutnant (Lieutenant)

Awarded on:

October 2nd, 1936

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Käpitanleutnant (Lieutenant)

Awarded on:

October 2nd, 1936

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Korvettenkapitän (Lieutenant Commander)

Awarded on:

September 28th, 1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Korvettenkapitän (Lieutenant Commander)

Awarded on:

December 20th, 1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Korvettenkapitän (Lieutenant Commander)

Unit:

Flottillenchef, 1. Minensuchflottille, Kriegsmarine

Awarded on:

June 26th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Korvettenkapitän (Lieutenant Commander)

Unit:

Flottillenchef, 1. Minensuchflottille, Kriegsmarine

Awarded on:

February 26th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Korvettenkapitän (Lieutenant Commander)

Unit:

Flottillenchef, 1. Minensuchflottille, Kriegsmarine

Awarded on:

August 3rd, 1942

Bergelt’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

“Korvettenkapitän Bergelt was awarded the Iron Cross Second Class on the 14.09.1939 while serving as the commander of the 1. R-Flottille in the Polish campaign. He was later awarded the Iron Cross First Class on the 26.06.1941 as the commander of the 1. M.S.-Flottille. He received the German Cross in Gold on the 26.02.1942 for his achievements and outstanding dutifulness during the Eastern campaign.

While serving in the western area of operations, Korvettenkapitän Bergelt participated in the preparatory work to enable the fleet formation to pass through. He had an outstanding share in the success of this daring operation through a combination of ruthless devotion to duty under difficult circumstances and swift initiative.

Here follows a list of the prominent details concerning his role in the overall course of this operation:

1.) Just before the arrival of the 1. M.S.-Flottille in the western area it was confirmed that mines were along the route that the battleship formation was to take. Without this it would not have been possible to provide an accurate briefing for the newly arrived Flottille. Thusly, on the 02.02.1942, this unit was given the mission of forging a route around this barrier. This task was carried out during the night with swiftness and competence. In the following days Bergelt carried out a series of reconnaissance sorties to establish the mine situation along the planned route of the battleships. He did this with great dutifulness and decisiveness in spite of the periodically unfavourable weather conditions.

2.) Before the operation began the ship M 1208 was lost when it struck a mine, an event which revealed the presence of a previously unknown mine infestation. In response, on the night of the 10./11.02.1942, Bergelt decided on his own initiative to modify his assigned task of clearing the way for the battleships. He clarified the mine situation in the now uncertain area with such speed and thoroughness that it was possible to alter the route for the battleships without needing to delay the time of their passage.

3.) On the 12.02.1942 Bergelt and his Flottille operated as forward mine security for the fleet formation that was already cruising through the Channel. In the eastern part of the Channel they unexpectedly encountered a new mine barrier that could not be bypassed due to the sandbanks present on either side. Acting with determination and prudence, Bergelt cleared a gap through this barrier in an unimaginably short time with only 4 ships. 8 mines were cleared in the process. He then guided the battleship formation safely through this gap in the barrier.

At this point the situation for the battleships was very critical. The formation had already been cruising for almost three hours in daylight along the narrowest point of the Channel. The arrival of British air and naval forces could be expected at any moment. An unhindered march was vital for the success of the operation. An hostile attack in this mine-filled area would have had disastrous consequences for the battleships, as they had been forced to assume a very unfavourable formation without any screening to the flanks while passing through the gap in the mines. The overcoming of this danger was an achievement of the highest importance, and it was a testament to the great abilities and outstanding dutifulness of Korvettenkapitän Bergelt. This achievement was his and his alone.

With this Bergelt had a decisive share in the ultimately successful passage of the battleship formation.

4.) After Bergelt had been employed in several mining operations in the Holland area as well as minesweeping operations in the Channel (in which he again cleared 19 mines), he and his Flottille were tasked with bringing through a particularly valuable ship through the Dover Straits from east to west. Here Bergelt once again proved his outstanding decisiveness and devotion to duty. While bringing this ship through the Dover Straits he acted with prudence and determination even in the face of prolonged MTB attacks. He was likewise undeterred by a later engagement with MTBs and 4 destroyers. Utilizing his fleet to full effect, he continued the minesweeping operations for the formation and cleared 5 mines during the engagement. In the end the operation was carried out according to plan and without losses. Korvettenkapitän Bergelt once again showed a great measure of decisiveness, battlefield courage and highest personal self-sacrifice during this time alongside great seamanship and outstanding tactical acumen. He thereby also had a great share in the successful prosecution of this particular operation.”