Description
Felix Kämmerer
Kämerer was born in Langfuhr, Danzig (today: Wrzeszcz, Gdańsk, Poland) on the 18th of November 1911 and worked as a gardener. He would enter the Kriegsmarine in 1941 although his Soldbuch was issued on the 9th of December 1943.
Kämmerer served with the:
22. Marine-Bordflak-Abteilung / 2./ Marine-Bordflak-Abteilung Süd
Stab / Stabszug in Castellammare
- Kompanie in Livorno
- Kompanie in Triest
- Kompanie in Forte dei Marmi
- Kompanie in Livorno
- Kompanie in Forte dei Marmi
According to research it would seem that the 2. Kompanie, in which Kämmerer was a member of was onboard the Minesweeper “Mosor” – on the 31st of December, it is reported that Partisans captured 24 German sailors from the minesweeper “Mosor” which had run aground on the eastern shore of the Ist island (21 miles NW of Zadar).
It would seem that Kämmerer was not captured and somehow was found around 12 days later, likely in a raft or at sea. He arrived at a hospital in Italy with breathing problems, likely due to exposure. He recovered in a Hospital in Naples, Italy.
After a short while he was found fit again for service, he was awarded the Iron Cross Second Class and the Blockade Breaker Medal.
More about the the badge for blockade breakers was awarded to crews of seagoing ships under the following conditions:
a) Successful breakthrough of the ship through the enemy blockade.
b) Destruction of the ship if it is threatened by enemy forces.
c) The existence of particularly stored cases which have led to the maintenance or destruction of the ship and cargo in the interests of the people and the economy and which have demonstrated a high level of commitment.
d) To survivors of a ship that was lost to enemy action.
e) In special cases to the wounded.
In addition, worthiness and good conduct were required for the award of the badge.
There are two forum threads detailing some extra facts about the fate of the sailors who were captured. They were handed over to the British. According to the Red Cross, there are still many sailors missing from the 2. Kompanine in the Adriatic Sea.
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=127825
https://www.forum-marinearchiv.de/smf/index.php?topic=18586.0
Comments
This is a fine example of a very lucky Kriegsmarine sailor who managed to evade capture, and his boat sinking. Kämmerer has a desirable award not often seen anymore.
