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Meendsen-Bohlken, Wilhelm (Konteradmiral)

    Date of birth:
    June 25th, 1897 (Brake-Oldenburg/Oldenburg, Germany)
    Date of death:
    August 20th, 1985 (Cologne-Müngersdorf/North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany)
    Nationality:
    German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

    Biography

    Career:
    12th June 1941 - 1st November 1942: Kommandeur "Admiral Scheer".

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    Period:
    First World War (1914-1918)
    Awarded on:
    July 1st, 1916
    Eisernes Kreuz 2.Klasse (1914)
    Period:
    First World War (1914-1918)
    Awarded on:
    November 19th, 1917
    Friedrich-August Kreuz 2.Klasse
    Period:
    First World War (1914-1918)
    Awarded on:
    1918
    U-Boot-Kriegsabzeichen (1918)
    Period:
    First World War (1914-1918)
    Awarded on:
    December 30th, 1919
    Eisernes Kreuz 1.Klasse (1914)
    Period:
    First World War (1914-1918)
    Awarded on:
    October 5th, 1934
    Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer
    Awarded on:
    1936
    Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4.Klasse, 4 Jahre
    Awarded on:
    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
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    March 11th, 1941
    Ordine della Corona d'Italia - Commendatore
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    1941
    Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2.Klasse mit Schwertern
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    1941
    Kriegsverdienstkreuz 1.Klasse mit Schwertern
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    June 10th, 1942

    Had already received the Iron Cross 2nd Class on July 1st, 1916.
    1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    August 30th, 1942

    Had already received the Iron Cross 1st Class on December 30th, 1919.
    1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 1er Klasse 1914
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    November 29th, 1942
    Flotten-Kriegsabzeichen
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Konteradmiral (Commodore)
    Unit:
    Befehlshaber Deutsches Marinekommando Italien
    Awarded on:
    September 15th, 1943
    Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    October 5th, 1943
    Wehrmachtbericht
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    1943
    Ärmelband Afrika
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Konteradmiral (Commodore)
    Unit:
    Befehlshaber der Deutschen Marinekommando Italiens
    Awarded on:
    May 15th, 1944
    The following press article (dated 25.05.1943) describes the actions by which Meendsen-Bohlken would receive the Knight’s Cross…

    “Konteradmiral Meendsen-Bohlken, a man who previously distinguished himself as captain of the heavy cruiser “Admiral Scheer”, has gone on to successfully direct the operations of the German Kriegsmarine in the Italian theatre following his appointment as commander of the German Marinekommando Italy. In this time the outstanding leadership of his subordinated units during the evacuations of Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica were particularly worthy of note.”
    Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

    Sources

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