THOMSEN Rolf Thomsen, Rolf * 06.05.1915 Berlin + 26.03.2003 Bonn Awarded Knights Cross: 04.01.1945 as: Kapitänleutnant Kommandant U-1202 Awarded Oakleaves as the 852th Recipient : 29.04.1945 as Kapitänleutnant Kommandant U-1202 Kapitänleutnant (Crew 36) Successes 1 ship sunk, total tonnage 7,176 GRT Kapitänleutnant. Rolf Thomsen Ranks 3 Apr 1936 Offiziersanwärter 10 Sep 1936 Seekadett 1 May 1937 Fähnrich zur See 1 Jul 1938 Oberfähnrich zur See 1 Oct 1938 Leutnant zur See 1 Oct 1940 Oberleutnant zur See 1 Mar 1943 Kapitänleutnant Decorations 25 Nov 1939 Iron Cross 2nd Class 17 May 1940 Iron Cross 1st Class 3 Jan 1945 U-boat War Badge 1939 4 Jan 1945 Knights Cross 29 Apr 1945 Knights Cross with Oak Leaves U-boat Commands U-boat From To U-1202 27 Jan 1944 9 May 1945 2 patrols (118 days) Rolf Thomsen began his naval career in April 1936. After six months on a minesweeper he transferred to the Luftwaffe in October 1938 and received training as a naval aviator. For more than three years he served in several air squadrons, including Kampfgeschwader 26, the only air group in the Luftwaffe which was equipped with air torpedoes. In April 1943 Thomsen left the Luftwaffe and undertook the usual training to become a U-boat commander. On 27 January, 1944 Kptlt. Rolf Thomsen commissioned U-1202. The boat made two patrols in the North Atlantic. Thomsen attacked many ships on these patrols, but most of his reported hits and sinkings could not be confirmed after the war, and he is only credited with one ship sunk. After the surrender in May 1945 he spent eight months in British captivity. Sources Busch, R. and Röll, H-J. (1999). German U-boat commanders of World War II. Busch, R. and Röll, H-J. (1997). Der U-Bootkrieg 1939-1945 (Band 2). Niestlé, A. (1998). German U-boat losses during World War II. Rohwer, J. (1998). Axis Submarine Successes of World War Two. Patrol info for Rolf Thomsen U-boat Departure Arrival 1. U-1202 21 Oct 1944 Kiel 24 Oct 1944 Horten 4 days 2. U-1202 26 Oct 1944 Horten 28 Oct 1944 Kristiansand 3 days 3. U-1202 30 Oct 1944 Kristiansand 1 Jan 1945 Bergen Patrol 1, 64 days 4. U-1202 4 Mar 1945 Bergen 26 Apr 1945 Bergen Patrol 2, 54 days 2 patrols, 118 days at sea Ships hit by Rolf Thomsen Date U-boat Commander Name of ship Tons Nat. Convoy 10 Dec 1944 U-1202 Rolf Thomsen Dan Beard 7,176 am 7,176 1 ship sunk (7,176 tons). Information from http://www.uboat.net Postwar Photo measuring 4” x 6” Price: $40.00 Please contact us before ordering to confirm availability and shipping costs. Buy now with your credit card other ways to buy