Georg-Wolfgang Feller
| Georg-Wolfgang Feller | |
|---|---|
| Born | 9 July 1915 Schöneberg, Germany |
| Died | 23 March 1991 (aged 75) Köln, North Rhine-Westphalia |
| Allegiance |  Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch |  Kriegsmarine |
| Years of service | 1939–1945 |
| Rank | Oberleutnant zur See der Reserve |
| Unit | 36. Minensuchflottille |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Wolfgang Feller (9 July 1915 – 23 March 1991) was an Oberleutnant zur See of the Reserves, in the German navy during World War II. He is noted for being the last soldier, sailor or serviceman to receive the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.[1]
Großadmiral Karl Dönitz had ordered a cease of all promotions and awards as of 11 May 1945. Nevertheless a number of Knight's Crosses were awarded after this date and must therefore be considered "illegal" hand-outs. The Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine General-Admiral Walter Warzecha, successor of General-Admiral Hans-Georg von Friedeburg, without authorization presented Georg-Wolfgang Feller the Knight's Cross on 17 June 1945.[2]
Feller, group leader in the 36. Minensuchflottille, was awarded the Knight's Cross for clearing the eastern Baltic Sea from mines thus ensuring the safe passage of many returning German ships.[3]
Awards [edit]
- Iron Cross (1939)
- Minesweeper War Badge on 13 April 1941[4]
- German Cross in Gold (8 July 1944)[4]
- Wound Badge in Black on 11 October 1944[4]
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 17 June 1945 as Oberleutnant zur See and Gruppenführer in the 36. Minensuchflottille[5]
References [edit]
- Citations
- Bibliography
- Dörr, Manfred (1995). Die Ritterkreuzträger der Überwasserstreitkräfte der Kriegsmarine—Band 1:A–K (in German). Osnabrück, Germany: Biblio Verlag. ISBN 3-7648-2453-0.
- Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer (2000). Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945 (in German). Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.
- Range, Clemens (1974). Die Ritterkreuzträger der Kriegsmarine (in German). Stuttgart, Germany: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3-87943-355-0.
- External links
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