Who was the only civilian to win the RK?

[Bernie Brule]

Don't know if this has been posted before.

The answer is Paul Hellmann, who was a Handelsmarine Kapitän on the MS "Osorno", a blockade breaker. Kapitän Hellmann recieved the Knight's Cross on 06.01.1944 from Grossadmiral Dönitz and was the first civilian, as a member of the Merchant navy, to recieve this prestigeous award. He later recieved the rank as Oberleutnant z. See in the Kriegsmarine.

How many guys would turn down that uniform if it were offered for sale today?

[Bernie Brule]

.

[DaveNZ]

nice pic; ek1, kvk1 and Blockade Breaker.

when did he win those awards do you know?

[Bernie Brule]

http://www.deutsche-marinesoldaten.d...h/hellmann.htm has this info on him:

Oberleutnant zur See d.R.

Paul Hellmann

<center> <table style="border-collapse: collapse;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td>geboren am 13.03.1889 im Forsthaus Zehnebeck, Kreis Angermünde
gestorben am 19.02.1964 in Hamburg Groß-Flottbek
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> </center>

Beförderungen und Auszeichnungen

__.__.40 Kriegsverdienstkreuz II.Klasse mit Schwertern
__.__.42 Kriegsverdienstkreuz I.Klasse mit Schwertern
__.__.42 Blockadebrecherabzeichen
__.__.42 Kriegsverdienstwimpel
31.12.43 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse
31.12.43 Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse
06.01.44 Ritterkreuz als Kapitän Blockadebrecher Osorno
01.09.44 Fähnrich zur See d.R.
01.11.44 Leutnant zur See d.R.
__.__.45 Oberleutnant zur See d.R.

Dienststellungen
1911 - 1912 Dienst in der Kaiserlichen Marine
1914 - 1919 als 4.Offizier im Dienst der Hapag in einem kanadischen Lager
ab 1923 Handelsschiffoffizier
12.41 - 12.43 Kapitän des Blockadebrechers Osorno
01.07.44 Eintritt in die Kriegsmarine, bis September Offizierslehrgang

[Ludwig]

Beware! That uniform might very well soon pop up for sale at some German militaria site!

[EK-collector]

When he had uniform, he was a soldier. Wasnt he ?
When he had rank in Kriegsmarine, he was a soldier. Wasnt he ?

[Peter J.]

I could wear a uniform as a Chief Steward on a supertanker, that didn't make me a soldier

cheers
Peter

[Bernie Brule]

He won the RK as a Captain of a merchant vessel BEFORE he joined the KM.

When he had uniform, he was a soldier. Wasnt he ?
When he had rank in Kriegsmarine, he was a soldier. Wasnt he ?

[streptile]

Interesting information, Bernie. Thanks for posting.

[Woolgar]

Thanks for the great info Bernie Thats something I didnt know

Nick

[Angel Farré]

Wonderfull info, I never suspect that exist an award of the RK for a civilian.

Thanks for the info and the photos.

Angel