Ernst Mengersen | |
---|---|
Born |
Bremke |
30 June 1912
Died | 6 November 1995 Detmold |
(aged 83)
Allegiance | Nazi Germany |
Service/branch | Kriegsmarine |
Years of service | 1933–45 |
Rank | Korvettenkapitän |
Unit |
SSS Gorch Fock cruiser Karlsruhe Schleswig-Holstein Admiral Scheer |
Commands held |
U-18 U-143 U-101 U-607 |
Battles/wars | |
Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Ernst Mengersen (30 June 1912 – 6 November 1995) was a German naval officer who reached the rank of Korvettenkapitän with the Kriegsmarine during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.
Mengersen commanded the U-18, U-143, U-101 and U-607, and sank twelve ships, including the SS Gairsoppa and HMS Broadwater, on eleven patrols, for a total of 68,071 gross register tons (GRT) of Allied shipping. The Gairsoppa carried 7,000,000 ounces of silver, which was worth £600,000 at the time of its sinking.
Two Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross recipients served as watch officers under Mengersen's command. Egon-Reiner von Schlippenbach served as first watch officer on U-101's fourth patrol under Mengerson, while Karl-Heinz Marbach was Mengerson's second watch officer on U-101.
In June 1943 Mengersen became commander of the 20th U-boat Flotilla based in Pillau, remaining in this position until 24 February 1945. During the last three months of the war, Mengersen served firstly with the 25th U-boat Flotilla and then in April 1945, he was selected to command the new 15th U-boat Flotilla.