Date of birth:

March 23rd, 1919 (Königsbrück/Saxonia, Germany)

Date of death:

March 26th, 2000 (Laussnitz/Saxonia, Germany)

Nationality:

German

Oberbootsmannmaat Mühlbauer was the only Maat (leading seaman), serving in the U-boats, that received the Knights Cross.
He served from April 1939 in the Navy and transferred in autumn 1939 to the U-boats.
He was on board of U-123 from its commission and took part in very successful patrols under Moehle and Hardegen with a total of more than 200,000 tons shipment sunk.
Also outstanding were his 822 days at sea, nearly two years and 4 months on patrol! In two cases he, with his sure eyes, saved the boat from being sunk by the enemy.
Oberbootsmannmaat Mühlbauer was promoted in 1945 to Oberbootsmann.

00.05.1940-00.12.1942: U 123
00.01.1943-00.05.1945: U 170
29.05.1945: POW
credited with a total of 14 war patrols.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Matrosenobergefreiter (Able-bodied Seaman)

Unit:

"U 123", 2. Unterseebootsflottille

Awarded on:

March 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Matrosenobergefreiter (Able-bodied Seaman)

Unit:

"U 123", 2. Unterseebootsflottille

Awarded on:

1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Matrosenobergefreiter (Able-bodied Seaman)

Unit:

"U 123", 2. Unterseebootsflottille

Awarded on:

June 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Bootsmannsmaat

Unit:

"U 170", 10. Unterseebootsflottille

Awarded on:

January 10th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberbootsmannsmaat

Unit:

Brückenmaat, "U 123", 33. Unterseebootsflottille

Awarded on:

December 10th, 1944

Awarded for his long record of distinguished service with the U-Boat arm, which by the time of his reception of the Knight’s Cross amounted to 14 war patrols and participation in the sinking of 309500 GRT of shipping under the commanders Moehle, Hardegen, Pfeffer and Hauber. The following newspaper excerpt further details why he was deemed worthy of the high award…

“He fulfilled his duties on the bridge in an especially exemplary manner. In his capacity as a lookout he twice prevented the destruction of his U-Boat. Over the course of his last two patrols he spent 231 days at sea. As a result of his wealth of experience with U-Boats he was of great help to his commanders, and in all situations proved himself by his devotion to duty, fighting spirit and bravery.”

Received as 132nd in the U-boat service.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberbootsmannsmaat

Unit:

"U 170", 10. Unterseebootsflottille

Awarded on:

1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberbootsmannsmaat

Unit:

"U 170", 10. Unterseebootsflottille

Awarded on:

1945

• Photo 1: Willi Schumacher Collection
• - SCHINDLER, MICHAEL G., Ritterkreuzträger aus Sachsen 1939-1945, libergraphix, 2013.
  - Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht (CD), VMD-Verlag GmbH, Osnabrück, 2002
  - Fellgiebel W.P., Elite of the Third Reich, The recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939-1945: A Reference, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003, ISBN 1-874622-46-9
  - Patzwall K., Scherzer V., Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941-1945, Geschichte und Inhaber Band II, Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall, Norderstedt, 2001, ISBN 3-931533-45-X
  - Kurowski F., Knight’s Cross Holders of the U-Boat Service, Schiffer Publishing, 1995
  - Deutsche Marine Soldaten
  - Das Ritterkreuz.de
  - U Boat net