Günther Gumprich

Updated on Oct 10, 2024

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Years of service 1916–43 Battles and wars World War I, World War II		Rank Captain at sea

Born 6 January 1900 Stuttgart ( 1900-01-06 ) Allegiance German Empire (to 1918) Weimar Republic (to 1933) Nazi Germany Service/branch Kaiserliche Marine Reichsmarine Kriegsmarine Commands held 4th Torpedoboat-Flotilla German auxiliary cruiser Thor German auxiliary cruiser Michel Battles/wars World War I World War II Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Died 17 October 1943, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan Award Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Günther Gumprich (16 January 1900 – 17 October 1943) was a Kapitän zur See (captain) of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine who, during World War II, commanded a merchant raider. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Gumprich was killed in action when on 17 October 1943, auxiliary cruiser "Michel" (HSK-9) was sunk by USS Tarpon.

Awards

Iron Cross (1914)

2nd Class (26 August 1918)

Chilean Order of Merit 3rd Class (10 December 1925)

The Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 (15 November 1934)

Clasp to the Iron Cross (1939)

2nd Class

Iron Cross (1939)

1st Class

Wehrmacht Long Service Award 4th to 2nd Class (2 October 1936)

Spanish Cross of Military Merit in White and Silver 3rd Class (21 August 1939)

Sudetenland Medal with Bar (23 September 1939)

War Merit Cross with Swords 2nd Class (30 January 1941)

Italian Commander of the Order of the Crown (11 March 1941)

German Cross in Gold on 11 September 1942 as Kapitän zur See on auxiliary cruiser Thor (ship 10)

Japanese Order of the Sacred Treasure 3rd Class (19 October 1942)

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 31 December 1942 as Kapitän zur See and commander of auxiliary cruiser Thor (HSK 4)

Auxiliary Cruiser Badge (6 January 1943)

References

Günther Gumprich Wikipedia

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