Germany, Kriegsmarine. A Preliminary Knight’s Cross Document to U-172 Kapitänleutnant Carl Emmermann

(Verleihungsurkunde zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). A preliminary Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross award document, constructed of off-white paper stock with black ink, named to “KAPITÄNLEUTNANT CARL EMMERMANN”, commander of U-172, issued in Berlin on 27 November 1942, featuring a stamp of the Supreme Command of the Kriegsmarine and a handwritten signature of Korvettenkapitän Muller, measuring 144 mm (w) x 204 mm (h), some tearing along the central crease evident in addition to minor soiling, in overall better than very fine condition.

Footnote: Carl Emmermann was born on 6 March 1915 in Hamburg, Germany. He enlisted in the Reichsmarine on 8 April 1934. After training as a Midshipman aboard “SSS Gorch Fock”, he served aboard the light cruiser “Karlsruhe” until June 1935. He completed officer training at the Flensburg-Mürwik Naval Academy, achieving the rank of Oberleutnant zur See on 1 April 1939. Emmermann then transferred to the U-Boat service in July, serving on a succession of three vessels and winning the Iron Cross in both classes, as well as the U-Boat Front Clasp. Having distinguished himself in combat, Emmermann underwent further training and was given command of U-172, a Type IXC U-Boat. Over five patrols between 24 April 1942 and 31 October 1943, Emmermann is credited with the sinking of 26 merchant ships in the North and South Atlantic, as well as the Caribbean Sea. During his time at the helm of U-172, Emmermann received the Knight’s Cross (27 November 1942) and the Oak Leaves (4 July 1943). After returning from his fifth and final patrol, Emmermann was given command of the 6th U-Boat Flotilla. Fortuitously, U-172 was sunk on its next patrol, with the loss of 13 crew. As the war came to a close, Emmermann briefly commanded U-3037, before ending the war as commander of the 31st U-Boat Flotilla, with the rank of Korvettenkapitän.