Other Awards
A number of other awards, not strictly U-Boat, or indeed not even Kriegsmarine, will be regularly spotted on wartime photographs of U-Boat personnel. Some of these are highlighted here.
Spanish Cross (Spanienkreuz)
A number of naval personnel were decorated with the Spanish Cross to recognise their service on the non-intervention patrolling carried out by German ships during the Spanish Civil War. Many U-Boat commanders seen wearing the Spanish Cross actually earned them whilst serving on surface ships eralier in their careers, but a number of U-Boats were committed to patrolling duing this conflict and some of their crew members were decorated with the Spanish Cross.
Spanish Cross in Bronze without Swords
Spanish Cross in Bronze with Swords
Spanish Cross in Silver with Swords
Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords
Original award document for the Spanish Cross in Bronze to Stabsobersteuermann Paul Sander from U-25
My thanks to François Saez for providing the photos of these excellent original examples
Krim Shield
The Krim Shield was also awarded to naval personnel, including U-Boat crews operating in the waters around the Crimean peninsula. Naval awards were worn attached to a dark navy blue backing cloth.
Memel Medal
The bronze medal "To Commemorate the Homecoming of Memel" was also awarded to naval personnel, including U-Boat Crews.
Sudeten Medal
Quite what involvement naval personnel had in the seizing of the Czech Sudetenland is unclear but awards of this medal to naval personnel, including U-Boat crews is known from original documents.
Luftwaffe Observer Badge
A number of well known U-Boat commanders were qualified aircrew observers having served with various Küstenflieger units before joining the U-Bootwaffe, so although appearing rather incongruous, this airforce qualification badge has a place in the study of awards worn by the men of the U-Bootwaffe. The Frontflugspange for Reconnaisance Pilots (Aufklärer) is also known from photos of U-Boat officers. Seen below is Kapitänleutnant Rolf Thomsen with the Luftwaffe Frontflugspange for Aufklärer above his left breast pocket.
Tank Destruction Badge (Panzervernichtungsabzeichen)
Towards the end of the war, many U-Boat sailors were drafted into Marine Infantry units and committed to the fighting on land, most significantly in the approaches to the German sea-ports such as Hamburg. Here, former U-Boat Ace Peter "ali" Cremer commanded a Panzervernichtungsbrigade which successfully knocked out a significant number of British tanks.
(Photos courtesy François Saez)
