A Group of Awards with Documents to Ship Mechanic - Senior Lance Corporal Kurt Andreessen

This is a very fine and unique group of awards and matching award documents presented to Ship Mechanic - Senior Lance Corporal (Mechaniker Obergefreiter) Kurt Andreessen, consisting of 1) An award document for an Iron Cross 1939 Second Class presented to Mechaniker Obergefreiter Andreessen. The document is dated September 3, 1944, and features a national seal with the typewritten name “Kranke - Admiral”. It measures 200 mm x140 mm, with one centre fold and “230” written in pencil on the top right corner. With an Iron Cross 1939 Second Class; two piece construction with a silver frame and a blackened iron magnetic core (slightly loose); on loop for suspension (unmarked); on ribbon for suspension with a field-attached horizontal pinback; measuring 44.06 mm x 43.74 mm; weighing 18.9 grams; with appealing dark patina around the edges of the cross and the black core nicely preserved. 2) An award document for a Minesweeper War Badge presented to Mechaniker Obergefreiter Andreessen, Kurt. The document is dated November 1, 1943 and features a denazified national seal and the signature of the Kapitän zur See und Führer der 4. Sicherungsdivision. It measures 208 mm x 150 mm, with multiple folds and a piece of sticky tape on the reverse. With a Minesweeper War Badge; in silvered and gilded zink; with a vertical pinback; maker marked “Fec. Otto Placzek, Berlin” and “Ausf. Schwerin, Berlin” on the reverse; measuring 53.42 mm x 41.23 mm; weighing 25.1 grams; vaulted; with lots of gilding and silvering remaining. 3) An award document for a Kriegsmarine Front Clasp in Bronze presented to Mechaniker Obergefreiter Andreessen. The document is dated 1.3.1945 and features a denazified national seal and the signature of the Fregattenkapitän und Chef der 8. Sicherungsdivision. It measures 210 mm x 131 mm, and is well preserved with two folds and some minor fraying on the edges. With a Kriegsmarine Front Clasp; in hand-stamped and field-made gilded bronze; with two prongs (one broken off but present); unmarked; measuring 95 mm x 24 mm; in generally very fine condition with much of the original “gilding” still intact. 4) A Christmas card inscribed “Wartime Christmas 1944 on R230”; measuring 201 mm x 128 mm; with one fold and some light fraying on the edges. See footnote for more information about R230. 5) A certificate stating that Mechaniker Obergefreiter Andreessen continued to sail from the day of capitulation until September 1, 1945 in the 3. Minenräumdivision (14Räumbootflottilla). The document features a denazified Kriegsmarine seal (made with a denazified stamp) and the signature of the Kapitän und Flottille-Chef. It measures 207 mm x 150 mm, with two folds, two hole-punch holes, and some fraying on the edges.

Footnote: The R-Boat R230 was commissioned in 1944 and became operational within the 14th Räumbootsflottille. Following the capitulation of Germany on May 8, 1945, R230 and some of its sailors, including Mechaniker Obergefreiter Andreessen remained on the boat, serving with the German Mine Sweeping Administration (GMSA) until it was seized as a prize of war by the Danish. The boat was renamed Stignaes in 1951 and served in the Danish marine until it was broken up and scrapped in 1961.