*WW2, German, Kriegsmarine Kleinkampf-Verbände Special Unit Medal Collection awarded to M.A. Obergefreiten Gerhard Mucke, Iron Cross 1939 EKII Marked 23 with Original Certificate, Neger One Man Submarine K Flotilla 364 Plaque, Naval War Merit Clasp – Kleinkampfmittel War Badge Silver 6th Grade – Marked L12.*
The Iron Cross 2nd Class – EKII – is mounted on a brown bakelite base with a silver metal image of the Neger one-man submarine and a plate: K Flott 364. It is accompanied by the Iron Cross award certificate, two photographs of the human torpedo and the Naval War Merit Clasp – Kleinkampfmittel War Badge Silver 6th Grade. The Iron Cross recipient – M.A. Obergefreiten Gerhard Mucke – was reputed to be an early member of the K-flotilla 364. Given the date of Mucke’s Iron Cross, and the fact that it was awarded in Tromsö, where experimentation and training for K-Boat operations were undertaken, it is likely that he was awarded the Iron Cross for his role in the dangerous early experimentation and development of the one-man torpedo, rather than for an actual operation as K-flotilla 364 operated in the Italian riviera 1944/45 with no known “successes”.
Torpedo Plaque
This plaque is a rare and unique award item to a member of the German Navy’s small, elite “K-Verband” Unit (Small Battle Units Force). From 1943 this unit trained solo operators – frogmen and the one man torpedos operators who originally used the Neger human torpedo.
The silver mounted torpedo craft and accompanying photographs illustrate the early one man, motorised, (inert) torpedo craft which carried a live torpedo underneath. The Neger operator was provided with rudimentary controls, a wrist compass, a self contained Drager breathing set and a crude aiming device consisting of a graduated scale marked on the perspex dome and an aiming spike on the nose of the craft. A handle in the cockpit launched the torpedo which started and ran at a preset depth. On many occasions the torpedo started but failed to release – carrying the upper unit and operator to oblivion. Losses of operators was estimated to be 80% .
WW2, EKII – Iron Cross – 1939, Marked 23 on ring
EK2 (Eisernes Kreuz II Klasse), marked on the ring with the code “23”, rare manufacture belonging to “Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Heeresbedarf in der Graveur- und Ziselierinnung, Berlin”. 3 pieces, magnetic center with black lacquer.
The German Iron Cross 1939 is a former military Prussian decoration, awarded for bravery and restored by Adolf Hitler in 1939. The Iron Cross of World War II was graded into three main categories the Iron Cross 2nd Class (Eiserne Kreuz II), Iron Cross 1st Class (Eiserne Kreuz 1), and the Knights Cross which replaced the Prussian Pour le Mérite or “Blue Max”. The 1st Class Iron Cross was a pinback award, worn on the left tunic pocket, while the 2nd Class cross was suspended from a ribbon when worn.
Included with the Iron Cross 2nd Class is the award document signed by Vice Admiral Nordmann, awarded to M.A. Obergefreiten Gerhard Mucke in Tromso, 17 September 1943 – reputedly an early member of the K-flotilla 364. Vice Admiral Nordmann was a successful U-Boat Commander 1940-42, by Autumn 1943 he was Commanding Admiral of the Norweigan Polar Coast. The document is signed in Tromso which is where experimentation and training for K-Boat operations were made.
WW2, Kriegsmarine Naval War Merit Clasp – Kleinkampfmittel War Badge – Silver 6th Grade. Marked L12 on back.
The medal comes in the form of a clasp with a sawfish, ringed by a twisted and knotted cord in silver. The clasp is an early versions with solid hinge blocks.
The 6th grade (silver) was awarded after the seventh mission.
Kleinkampfmittel is the collective designation for the various unconventional means of offensive naval warfare below the size of regular vessels, such as midget submarines, manned torpedoes, demolition boats and frogmen. These were grouped together in late 1943/early 1944 in a new branch of the German Navy, the Kleinkampf-Verbände (or K-Verbände for short). It is not known whether the three highest grades -Gold, Silver, Bronze- were actually presented during the war, which is unsurprising, given the highly dangerous and often near-suicidal nature of this kind of warfare and the resultant high losses suffered by the men who waged it.
*Condition*
This is a unique Kriegsmarine Kleinkampf-Verbände Collection. The Iron Cross, and Submarine Plaque are in very good condition. The Iron Cross document is torn in places and has tape on the back but is in otherwise good condition. The Kleinkampfmittel Silver Class is in good condition. The photographs do not appear to be originals. Please see Photographs as part of the condition report.
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