Hans Bartels

Hans Bartels (5 July 1910 – 31 July 1945) was a Korvettenkapitän with the Kriegsmarine during World War II and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. He was transferred to command the Kleinkampfverbände (small combat units) and after a training course was appointed leader of the Kleinkampf-Flottille 261 (261st Biberflottille), operating the midget submarine Biber, in August 1944. After the war ended Bartels was retained in British custody and was assigned to a Minenräumkommando (German Mine Sweeping Administration), where he was killed in an accident near Rendsburg on 31 July 1945.

Awards

 * Wehrmacht Long Service Award 4th Class (2 October 1936)
 * Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1.10.38  (20 December 1939)
 * Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (19 February 1940)
 * 1st Class (11 May 1940)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 16 May 1940 as Kapitänleutnant and commander of GERMAN MINESWEEPER M-1