Ritterkreuz - The Knight's Cross
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Ritterkreuz - The Knight's Cross |
Werner Hartenstein was born on 27th February 1908 in Plauen, Saxony near the German border with the present-day Czech Republic. He began his naval career in April 1928. He served a few years on the light cruiser Karlsruhe and on several torpedo boats, on which he completed 65 patrols in the first years of the war. In March 1941 he transferred to the U-boat force.
On 4th September 1941 he was given command of U-156. On her second patrol the boat attacked the refinery on Aruba in the Caribbean with gunfire. On U-156's fourth patrol Hartenstein was instrumental in organising the rescue of the Laconia survivors, for which he received Germany's highest military honour, the Knights Cross. On 8th March 1943 U-156 was sunk on her fifth patrol with all hands by a US Navy aircraft east of Barbados.
Shipping
Tally
Sank 19 ships for a total of 92,133 tons
4 ships damaged for a total of 20,001 tons
Ranks
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January 1930 |
Fähnrich zur See |
Midshipman, cadet |
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1 April 1932 |
Oberfähnrich zur See |
Sub-Lietenant |
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1 October 1932 |
Leutnant zur See |
Lieutenant-Junior |
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1 September 1934 |
Oberleutnant zur See |
Lieutenant-Senior |
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1 June 1937 |
Kapitänleutnant |
Lieutenant Commander |
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1 June 1942 |
Korvettenkapitän |
Commander |
Military Decorations
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6 June 1939 |
Spanish Cross |
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16 November 1939 |
Iron Cross 2nd Class |
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27 April 1940 |
Iron Cross 1st Class |
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2 February 1942 |
German Cross |
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17 March 1942 |
U-Bootskriegsabzeichen |
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17 September 1942 |
Knights Cross |
Source http://uboat.net