Rolf Thomsen

Rolf Thomsen (6 May 1915 – 26 March 2003) was a Kapitänleutnant with the Kriegsmarine during World War II and later served with the Bundesmarine. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. He sailed on U-1202 sinking one ship of 7,176 tons on four patrols.

Military career
Thomsen served as a naval aviator from 1939 until early 1943. He transferred to the U-boat service on 1 January 1944 and on 27 January 1944 commissioned U-1202. His first patrol as a U-boat commander took him into the North Atlantic. The first attack was carried out on 10 December 1944. All four torpedoes, which were aimed at merchant vessels of between 6,000 and 7,000 tons, found their mark. Thomsen claimed such as sunk, as corresponding sinking noises were heard. However the enemy only admitted the loss of the 7,176 ton American merchant ship Dan Beard.

From 1 October 1962 to 30 September 1963 he served as adjutant to the Federal Minister of Defence Kai-Uwe von Hassel.

Awards

 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (25 November 1939)
 * 1st Class (17 May 1940)
 * Wound Badge (1939) in Black (August 1940)
 * Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe for reconnaissance pilots
 * in Silver (25 April 1941)
 * in Gold (26 March 1942)
 * German Cross in Gold on 14 October 1943 as Kapitänleutnant on U-1004 in the 11. Unterseeboots-Flottille
 * U-boat War Badge (1939) (3 January 1945)
 * U-boat Front Clasp in Bronze (27 January 1945)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 4 January 1945 as Kapitänleutnant and commander of U-1202
 * 852nd Oak Leaves on 29 April 1945 as Kapitänleutnant and commander of U-1202