Brill, Karl-Friedrich
- Date of birth:
- July 18th, 1898 (Stolzenau/Hannover, Germany)
- Date of death:
- October 22nd, 1943 (west of Porto/San Stefano, Italy)
- Nationality:
- German (1933-1945, Third Reich)
Biography
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1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- March 9th, 1940
Had already received the Iron Cross 2nd Class on 19th October 1917.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- April 27th, 1940
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Korvettenkapitän der Reserve
- Unit:
- Kommandant Minenschiff "Cobra"
- Awarded on:
- November 20th, 1941
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Korvettenkapitän der Reserve (Lieutenant-Commander of Reserves)
- Unit:
- Kommandant Minenschiff "Cobra" / Führer Minenschiffgruppe
- Awarded on:
- December 27th, 1941
“He was active in the North Sea and created important blocking barriers during the Norwegian Operation. However Brill’s most important accomplishment was his involvement in the efforts to trap the Soviet fleet in the Gulf of Finland. Over the course of numerous dangerous operations he and other vessels achieved the outstanding feat of creating the so-called ‘Juminda Barrier.’ As the leader of a minelayer group, he had a major role in the laying of a mine barrier that resulted in grave consequences for the enemy. During the ‘Mine Battle of Reval’ Brill’s mines claimed over 130000 GRT of Soviet shipping. On the 20.11.1941 Brill received the German Cross in Gold, and just four weeks later he received the Knight’s Cross for this singular performance.”
95th Award.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Korvettenkapitän der Reserve (Lieutenant-Commander of Reserves)
- Unit:
- Kommandant Minenschiff "Juminda" / Führer Minenschiffgruppe
- Awarded on:
- November 18th, 1943
The following press excerpt describes why Brill was awarded the Oakleaves…
“This 45-year old reserve officer, who recently died a hero’s death, was the most successful minelayer captain of the Kriegsmarine. He and his crew deployed over 9000 mines and various blocking equipment, making an invaluable contribution to the war effort in the process. This singular feat was accomplished over the course of 50 missions in all the waters around Europe, an unprecedented achievement.”
330th Award.
Awarded pothumous.
“This 45-year old reserve officer, who recently died a hero’s death, was the most successful minelayer captain of the Kriegsmarine. He and his crew deployed over 9000 mines and various blocking equipment, making an invaluable contribution to the war effort in the process. This singular feat was accomplished over the course of 50 missions in all the waters around Europe, an unprecedented achievement.”
330th Award.
Awarded pothumous.
Sources
- Photo 1: Wehrkundearchiv
- Photo: Deutsches Wehrkundearchiv
- - DÖRR, MANFRED, Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Wehmacht 1939–1945, Biblio Verlag, Osnabrück, 1995.
- Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht (CD), VMD-Verlag GmbH, Osnabrück, 2002
- Kwasny A., Kwasny G., Die Eichenlaubträger 1940-1945 (CD), Deutsches Wehrkundearchiv, Lage-Waddenhausen, 2001
- Fellgiebel W.P., Elite of the Third Reich, The recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross 1939-1945: A Reference, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003, ISBN 1-874622-46-9
- Patzwall K., Scherzer V., Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941-1945, Geschichte und Inhaber Band II, Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall, Norderstedt, 2001, ISBN 3-931533-45-X
Photo
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