Günter Kuhnke | |
---|---|
Born |
Elbing, West Prussia |
7 September 1912
Died | 11 October 1990 Schortens |
(aged 78)
Allegiance |
Weimar Republic (to 1933) Nazi Germany (to 1945) West Germany |
Service/branch |
Reichsmarine Kriegsmarine German Navy |
Years of service | 1931–45 1955–72 |
Rank |
Korvettenkapitän (Kriegsmarine) Konteradmiral (Bundesmarine) |
Unit |
SSS Niobe cruiser Karlsruhe |
Commands held |
U-28 U-125 U-853 10th U-boat Flotilla 33rd U-boat Flotilla destroyer Z-2 (D171) |
Battles/wars | |
Awards |
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Stern zum Großen Verdienstkreuz des Verdienstordens der Bundesrepublik Deutschland |
Günter Kuhnke (7 September 1912 – 11 October 1990) was a Korvettenkapitän with the Kriegsmarine during World War II and later a Konteradmiral with the Bundesmarine. 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.
He commanded the U-28, U-125 and U-853, sinking eleven ships on nine patrols, for a total of 42,252 gross register tons (GRT) of Allied shipping plus the special service vessel HMS Prunella. He commanded 10th U-boat Flotilla from January 1942 until October 1944, then 33rd U-boat Flotilla until May 1945.
Fregattenkapitän Günter Kuhnke commanded the destroyer Z-2 (D171) (formerly USS Ringgold (DD-500)) from 14 July 1959 until November 1960.