- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Fregattenkapitän (Commander)
- Unit:
- Kommandant, "Z 29", 8. Zerstörerflottille, Kriegsmarine
- Awarded on:
- May 8th, 1943
The following press article (dated 13.05.1943) describes why Rechel would receive the Knight’s Cross…
“Fregattenkapitän Kurt Rechel, born on 01.12.1902 in Iserlohn (Westphalia), has been a destroyer captain since the beginning of the war. Fregattenkapitän Rechel had already distinguished himself during the occupation of Norway through his outstanding achievements. His mission here was to land part of the initial wave of occupation troops, a task which was fully carried out. During a naval battle that saw the destruction of 4 enemy destroyers, Rechel’s destroyer was heavily involved and can be credited as having a major share in the victory. In the Mediterranean theatre, as commander of the destroyer “Hermes”, he has completed many difficult operations successfully. He is responsible for the sinking of an English submarine as well as the secure escort of many convoys. Fregattenkapitän Rechel owes his success to his personal courage, outstanding seamanship and daring leadership of his destroyer.”
In total Rechel’s destroyer was directly responsible for the sinking of the Norwegian coastal defense ship “Norge” and the British submarine “Splendid”, and it assisted in the sinking of a further 2 English destroyers. His ship also shot down 11 enemy aircraft.