Fritz Krauss

Fritz Krauss (born March 20, 1898 in Chur, Germany, died July 13, 1978 in Großhansdorf) was a German naval officer, most recently a Konteradmiral in the World War II. Between 16 August 1944 – 22 July 1945, Fritz Krauss was Director of Department of Naval Intelligence (German: Marinenachrichtendienst), specifically 3 SKL/MND IV of the German Navy.

Life
On April 10, 1917, Krauss entered the Imperial German Navy as a war volunteer and an officer candidate. He completed his basic training on the Cruiser SMS Freya, then moved to the Naval Academy Mürwik and was transferred after that visit to the grand cruise ship SMS König for further training. While onboard the ship on 15 February 1918, he was appointed as (Fähnrich zur See) ensign. He remained onboard until December 31, 1918, and was then put into the reserve, leaving the active service on January 21.

As a (Leutnant zur See), Krauss was reactivated on May 3, 1921 and subordinated to the Reichsmarine. Initially he continued his education at the Naval School and was subsequently a watch officer on the light cruisers SMS Arcona as well as SMS Amazone. Krauss was promoted on May 1, 1923 to the Lieutenant (Oberleutnant zur See). From October 1, 1924 to 24 March 1927, Krauss worked as a group officer at the Naval School. It was followed by uses as a radio officer on the battleship SMS Schleswig-Holstein and as a radio and guard officer on the light cruiser SMS Emden, with whom he took two trips abroad. With his promotion to the Lieutenant Commander (Kapitänleutnant), Krauss was transferred on October 1, 1930 for three years as fourth Admiral Officer in the staff of the commander of the Naval Station on the Baltic Sea. In 1935, he took a position as a guard officer on the SMS Schleswig-Holstein until September 25, and then moved to the naval management. He remained there until 3 April 1938, when he was assigned to the Oberkommando der Marine, when he was promoted to Corvette Captain (Korvettenkapitän). Kraus continued being watch officer, until 1 February 1936, when he was subsequently transferred to the heavy cruiser German cruiser Deutschland, as a navigation officer.

At the beginning of World War II, Germany briefly led a trade war in the Atlantic and shortly before returning home, Krauss was promoted to the (Fregattenkapitän) (frigate captain) on 1 November 1939 while aboard. As such, he remained aboard after the renaming of the Deutschland to Lützow, now reclassified as a heavy cruiser, and was appointed as one of the first officers on 11 January 1940, taking part in Operation Weserübung, the invasion and occupation of Norway. From 19 April to 23 June 1940 he was also commissioned at the same time as the conduct of the operations of the ship's commander. He was then appointed chief of staff of the naval command for western France. After their dissolution, Krauss was hired from 1 December 1940 to 4 April 1941 at the command of the Kriegsmarine, then as the first officer on the heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper and promoted on 1 June 1941 to Captain at sea (Kapitän zur See). So such was Krauss from February 2 to April 1 1943 with the operational performance of the commander. He then served as the Naval Intelligence officer of the German Naval Command in Italy until August 31, 1943, and was then transferred to the Naval command of the Kriegsmarine. There, Krauss from August 16th, 1944 was Chief of German Naval Intelligence Service and B-Dienst and as such received his promotion to the rear Admiral a month later.

Krauss remained on his post beyond the end of the war and was appointed by the British authorities on 23 July 1945 as head of the German Mine Sweeping Administration. Shortly before the service was dissolved, on 19 December 1947, its adoption was retired.