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Böhmer, Kurt (Konteradmiral)

Date of birth:
December 31st, 1892 (Magdeburg/Saxony, Germany)
Date of death:
October 1st, 1944 (Windau/Ventspils, Latvia)
Buried on:
German War Cemetery Frauenburg / Saldus
Grave: UNK.
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Promotions:
23.12.1914: Fähnrich zur See
13.07.1916: Leutnant zur See
28.09.1920: Oberleutnant zur See
01.04.1927: Kapitänleutnant
01.07.1934: Korvettenkapitän
01.10.1937: Fregattenkapitän
01.08.1939: Kapitän zur See
10.04.1942: Kommodore
01.02.1943: Konteradmiral

Career:
01.04.1914: entered the Navy, Seekadett, Attended Basic-Training and on Board the Heavy Cruiser ‘Hansa’
11.08.1914: Liner ‘König Albert’
24.01.1916: Naval-School in Mürwik
05.03.1916: Adjutant, Liner ‘König Albert’
20.11.1917: Radio-Officer, Liner ‘König Albert’
00.07.1918: Submarine-Training and Watch-Officer, ‘U 17’ and ‘U 22’
00.12.1918: Watch-Officer in the 19th Torpedo-Boat-Half-Flotilla and III. Flotilla
02.04.1924: Adjutant and Assistant at Barrier-Test-Command
01.10.1924-11.10.1926: Commandant, Minesweeper ‘M 136’
12.10.1926: Company-Leader in the 1st Battalion of the I. Ship’s-Cadre-Division
01.10.1927: Company-Chief in the I. Naval-Artillery-Battalion
25.09.1930: Watch-Officer and Roll Officer, Liner ‘Hessen’
15.03.1933: Company-Chief and Leader of the Barrier-Unit in the Barrier-Battalion
30.09.1933: Chief of the 1st Minesweeper-Half-Flotilla
27.09.1935: Advisor in the Inspection of Torpedo and Mine Affairs
21.07.1937: First Officer, Armoured-Ship ‘Admiral Scheer’
22.01.1940: Leader of the Special-Formation of the North Sea
01.06.1940: Chief Of Staff, Commander of Security of the North
16.10.1940: Leader of Minesweepers North
12.03.1942: Leader of Minesweeper-Formation East
17.06.1944: Chief of the 9th Security-Division
01.10.1944: KIA by Gasseln, Latvia

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Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
January 6th, 1916
Eisernes Kreuz 2.Klasse (1914)
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
1934
Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer
Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1936
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4.Klasse, 4 Jahre
Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1936
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht  3.Klasse, 12 Jahre
Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1936
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht  2. Klasse, 18 Jahre
Awarded on:
May 13th, 1938
Awarded on:
April 1st, 1939
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht  1.Klasse, 25 Jahre
Period:
Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
Awarded on:
1939
Medalla de la Campaña de España 1936-1939
Period:
Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
Awarded on:
June 6th, 1939
Spanienkreuz, Silber
Awarded on:
October 26th, 1939
Medaille zur Erinnerung an die Heimkehr des Memellandes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
April 17th, 1940
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
April 21st, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Kapitän zur See (Captain Royal Navy)
Unit:
Chef des Stabes, Befehlshaber der Sicherung der Nordsee
Awarded on:
October 6th, 1940
The following press excerpt describes why Böhmer was awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“Kapitän zur See Böhmer has overseen all operations of our mine ships since February 1940. The far-ranging cruises of our slow, fully laden mine ships were constantly threatened by enemy action. Kapitän zur See Böhmer carried out the cruises with toughness and energy, overcoming all difficulties that were set against him. He did not let himself be deterred when he saw the muzzle flashes of enemy destroyers aimed at him as he and his formation headed for the Norwegian coast. The slow and relatively weak auxiliary vessels were able to carry out their assigned tasks thanks to his confident and energetic leadership. The successful execution of these tasks was of major importance for the security of the operation against Norway.”

33rd Award.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
January 17th, 1941
Kriegsabzeichen für Minensuch-, U-Boots-, Jagd- und Sicherungsverbände
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 10th, 1942

Awarded with swords.
Vapaudenristin 1.luokka (VR 1)

Sources

Photo