Franz Kohlauf

Who was Franz Kohlauf?

Franz Kohlauf was a Fregattenkapitän with the Kriegsmarine during World War II and a 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 killed in action when Torpedoboot T-29 was sunk by HMCS Haida.

He commanded the 4. Torpedo Boat Flotilla, consisting of large Elbing-class torpedo boats, among others. Kohlauf led the five torpedo boats T-23, T-26, T-27, T-22 and T-25 in a night battle on 22/23 October 1943 in which the Germans sunk the British cruiser HMS Charybdis and escort destroyer HMS Limbourne, without losses. After this action, he was awarded the Knight's Cross.