Allegiance Nazi Germany Rank Korvettenkapitan Service/branch Kriegsmarine | Years of service 1933–45 Name Ernst Mengersen | |
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Born 30 June 1912
Bremke ( 1912-06-30 ) Battles/wars Spanish Civil War
World War II
Battle of the Atlantic Died November 6, 1995, Detmold, Germany Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Battles and wars Spanish Civil War, Battle of the Atlantic, World War II Unit SMS Schleswig-Holstein, German cruiser Admiral Scheer Commands held German submarine U-18, German submarine U-143, German submarine U-101, German submarine U-607 | ||
Ernst Mengersen (30 June 1912 – 6 November 1995) was a German naval officer who reached the rank of Korvettenkapitan with the Kriegsmarine during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.
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World War II
Mengersen commanded the U-18, U-143, U-101 and U-607, and sank twelve ships, including the SS Gairsoppa and HMS Broadwater, on eleven patrols, for a total of 68,071 gross register tons (GRT) of Allied shipping. The Gairsoppa carried 7,000,000 ounces of silver, which was worth £600,000 at the time of its sinking.
Two Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients served as watch officers under Mengersen's command. Egon-Reiner von Schlippenbach served as first watch officer on U-101's fourth patrol under Mengerson, while Karl-Heinz Marbach was Mengerson's second watch officer on U-101.
In June 1943 Mengersen became commander of the 20th U-boat Flotilla based in Pillau, remaining in this position until 24 February 1945. During the last three months of the war, Mengersen served firstly with the 25th U-boat Flotilla and then in April 1945, he was selected to command the new 15th U-boat Flotilla.
Awards
Later life
Mengersen survived the war and died in Detmold, at the age of 83.