Family tradition - a tragedy !!

[compressore]

Hello,
today I want to post another named reefer jacket with a tragic story behind.
To the topic of tragedy I will come later...

A while ago I acquired a reefer for a Kapitaenleutnat without the possibility to have it in hands before it was send to me.
When the jacket arrived, I was not happy. Buttons to large (Collani size) and I could well see that buttons were sewed on and removed several times. In addition, traces of other cufftstripes than for a Kaleu....and well worn.

So I put the jacket in my locker until some weeks ago. When I had a more accurate look at it, I found a name tag sewn in the inner pocket. I do not know why I missed it the first time.

The tag is washed but could be clearly read:
Herr K. Kap. K. Knackfuss
After some research, I felt good as the officer was well traceable.

Searching the web, I found a fellow German collector who bought from the same source a huge award and paperwork estate.
He was very kind and helpful by providing me with a lot of information, copies of documents and pictures.

After I had those information on hand, I decided to put back the reefer in the state it was in 1943 (using a complete set of insignia from another officer)

So here is the man and his history:

15.11.1891 geboren in Chemnitz an der Saale
04/1912 - 03/1913 Seekaddett SMS Hertha
04/1913 - 03/1914 Faehnrich z.S. Marineschule Felnsburg-Muerwick
04/1914 - 08/1914 Infanterielehrgang Marineschule Wilhelmshaven
08/1914 - Mitte/1915 Torpedokurs Torpedoschule Flensburg-Muerwick, Artilleriekurs Schiffsartillerieschule Sonderburg

08/1914 - Mitte/1915 F.T.O. SMS Danzig
Mitte/1915 - Herbst/1915 F.T.O. SMS Wiesbaden
Herbst/1915 - Fruehj./1916 F.T.O. FS Norddeich
Fruehj./1916 – Herbst/1916 F.T.O. – F.S. List
Herbst 1916 – 11/1917 F.T.O. III. Einfahrt Wilhelmshaven
11/1917 U-Bootkurs U-Bootschule
12/1917 – 12/1918 F.T-Flagleutnant beim Stab der U-Schule
01/1919 – Fruehj/1919 Adjudant II. Matrosendivision Wilhelsmhaven
Fruehj/1919 – Sommer/1920 Kp.-Chef Kuestenwehrregiment Wilhelmshaven

09/1938 – 08/1942 Referent OKW Wehrwirtschafts- und Ruestungsamt
08/1942 – 01/1943 Stab Marinegruppenkommando Wilhelmshaven
05/1943 – 10/1944 Hafenkommandant Riga
06.10.1944 Verwundung durch Bombenangriff
01/1945 – 05/1945 Stabsoffizier beim Seekommandant Nordholland
05/1945 – 06/1945 Regiments-Kommandeur beim Regiment „Knackfuss“ (07/1945 Ortskommandant Asel bei Jever in Oldenburg

Awards:
04.10.1916 EK II
31.01.1936 Ehrenkreuz fuer Frontkaempfer
01.12.1938 Dienstauszeichung IV. Klasse
20.04.1942 KVK m.S. II. Klasse
30.01.1943 KVK. m.S. I. Klasse
15.10.1944 Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz

And now the tragedy:
Karl Knackfuss had three sons. As it was a tradition in many families that sons followed their father in duty, all three served as well in the Kriegsmarine...and all three lost their young lives.

• Detlev Knackfuss, went down as I.WO of U-161 on 8.10.1943
• Ulrich Knackfuss, went down as commander of U-821 on 10.06.1944
• The youngest son, Burghardt Knackfuss, was missed in action as Seekadett in the fortress Gironde. The parents hoped for a return, but in 1947 the red cross destroyed their hope and confirmed the death of on 15.04.1945 !

The familiy had no more childs. This is what war can bring to families.

I hope you like the history, the stroy and the reefer !

Regards
Christian

[compressore]

Knackfuss

Seems to be at his duty time in the OKW

[km-spain]

Christian you have some top Kriegsmarine named uniforms, always a pleasure to see them, thanks for sharing

[amiklic1]

Sad, but great story, and a great uniform.

[JustinG]

Being able to attribute to an individual is priceless. It is this piece of history and this story that makes the piece so much more special.
Thank you for sharing the details. It adds so much to the piece.
Very sad.

Regards,
JustinG

[Alfred.R]

very interesting

[Britian_Jacky]

man this is what war can do at its worst.
People can lose parents,sons, relatives and whoever.
Whats is worse is that if a person is missing you would hope they are alive and well but then someone in the red cross or whoever from a reliable source says that he/she is dead makes it much worse for the family.
what could be bad is that the person missing could have deserted which could bring shame and dishonour to the family.
the guy could have been shocked or after the war had post traumatic stress disorder.
With 3 that would just be a living hell for him and his wife.

[berkenkruis]

thanks for sharing the story and pictures, nice interesting and special find, congrats Christian