Theodor Detmers
| Theodor Detmers | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 22 August 1902 Witten |
| Died | 4 November 1976 (aged 74) Rahlstedt, Hamburg |
| Allegiance |
 Weimar Republic Nazi Germany
|
| Service/branch |
 Reichsmarine Kriegsmarine
|
| Years of service | 1921–1945 |
| Rank | Kapitän zur See |
| Unit | Kriegsmarine |
| Commands held |
Hermann Schoemann Kormoran |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross Iron Cross |
| Other work | Author |
Theodor Detmers (22 August 1902 – 4 November 1976) was the commanding officer of the German auxiliary cruiser Kormoran. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross of Nazi Germany.
Detmers joined the Reichsmarine in 1921 and served on the battleships Hannover and Elsass. He was educated on the sail training ship Niobe and also served on Berlin. Detmers became a sublieutenant on the cruiser Emden. From 1926–28, he served on the Albatross. In 1927, he was promoted to lieutenant. From 1930–32, he served as staff officer and was then stationed on the cruiser Köln, on which he visited Australia in 1933.
In 1934, he served on torpedo boats and destroyers of the Reichsmarine. In October 1938, he was in command of the destroyer Hermann Schoemann and participated in Operation Weserübung in April to June 1940.
In July 1940, Detmers became captain of the commerce raider Kormoran, and captured or destroyed 11 enemy merchant ships. On 19 November 1941 Kormoran was intercepted by HMAS Sydney. Detmers tried to pose as a Dutch merchant ship. He allegedly lacked the necessary naval codes, however, and was finally forced to engage Sydney. He sank the Australian cruiser in battle off Western Australia. His own ship was severely damaged and had to be scuttled, after which Detmers was captured and became a prisoner of war (POW).
...
Wikipedia