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Weyher, Kurt (Konteradmiral)

Date of birth:
August 13th, 1901 (Graudenz/Westernprussia, Germany)
Date of death:
December 17th, 1991
Nationality:
German

Biography

Kurt Weyher was the commanding officer of the sailing school ship "Horst Wessel" from Januari until September 1939. From December he took over the command of the Auxiliary Cruiser "Orion", and in November 1941 was taken in the Command stucture HQ of the Admiraal in the Ägäis, I.Asto. Here he served until March 1942. After this he served from April that year until Januari 1944 with the HQ of the Marine Gruppenkommando Süd, l. Asto. As the Chef der Deutschen Marinekommandos Konstanza he served the same time as commanding officer of 10.Sicherungs-Division, Geleitchef Schwarzes Meer and the Deutscher Chef des Stabes der Rumänische Marine, until June 1944.
Between June 1944 and October 1944, Kurt Weyher was the Naval commander of Crete and after that he served until his capture as Naval commander of Ostfriesland. On Januari 1st 1945 he wat promoted to Konteradmirad (Vice-admiral). He was released as POW on June 7th 1947.

Promotions:
February 21st, 1920: Fähnrich zur See;
April 1st, 1921: Oberfähnrich zur See;
April 1st, 1922: Leutnant zur See;
April 1st, 1925: Oberleutnant zur See;
December 1st, 1932: Kapitänleutnant;
October 1st, 1936: Korvettenkapitän;
1940: Fregattenkapitän;
June 1st, 1942: Kapitän zur See;
January 1st, 1945: Konteradmiral.

Awarded the Bewährungsabzeichen II. und I. Klasse der III. Marine-Brigade von Loewenfeld

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Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
1935
Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
with swords
Kriegserinnerungsmedaille
Awarded on:
1936
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4.Klasse, 4 Jahre
Awarded on:
1936
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht  3.Klasse, 12 Jahre
Awarded on:
1936
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht  2. Klasse, 18 Jahre
Awarded on:
December 21st, 1936
Deutsches Olympia Ehrenzeichen Zweiter Klasse
Period:
Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
Awarded on:
June 6th, 1939
Spanienkreuz, Silber
Awarded on:
1939
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
July 9th, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
August 30th, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Fregattenkapitän (Commander)
Unit:
Kommandant, Handelsstörkreuzer 1 "HSK 1" (Schiff 36 - Orion), Kriegsmarine
Awarded on:
August 21st, 1941
Awarded for his successes while in command of the auxiliary cruiser "Orion". This ship performed only one cruise during the war. It lasted for 510 days and "Orion" logged 127,337 nautical miles (235,828 km) at sea. Over the course of the voyage it sunk 10 ships (62,915 GRT) by itself and 2 more (21,125 GRT) in cooperation with the auxiliary cruiser "Komet".
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
August 23rd, 1941
Kriegsabzeichen für Hilfskreuzer (ohne Brillianten)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 26th, 1942

Awarded with swords.
Tsarski Orden
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
February 5th, 1944
Red Krune Kralja Zvonimira I.Stupnja Cross with Oak Wreath
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
March 20th, 1944
Znak Hrvatska Pomorska Legija
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
April 17th, 1944

Awarded woth swords.
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Kapitän zur See (Navy Captain)
Unit:
Chef, 10. Sicherungs-Division, Kriegsmarine
Awarded on:
May 18th, 1944
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

Received with swords.
Ordinul Steaua Romaniei Commander
Awarded on:
April 29th, 1977
Verdienstkreuz am Bande des Verdienstordens der BRD

Sources

Photo