Gerhard von Kamptz

Who was Gerhard von Kamptz?

Kurt Gerhard von Kamptz was a Kapitän zur See with the Kriegsmarine during World War II and recipient of the coveted Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Gerhard von Kamptz was made commander of the Danish island Bornholm on 5 March 1945. Von Kamptz refused to surrender the island to the Soviet forces, having been ordered to surrender to the Western Allies instead. He was taken prisoner of war by the Soviets and released on 1 January 1954.