Götz Freiherr von Mirbach

Who was Götz Freiherr von Mirbach?

Erich Werner Siegfried Götz Freiherr von Mirbach was a Korvettenkapitän with the Kriegsmarine during World War II. He is also a 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.

Von Mirbach was assigned to the 1. Schnellbootflottille attacking enemy shipping in the English Channel, sinking a British destroyer and three armed merchant vessels among others. His younger cousin, Oberleutnant Emmerich von Mirbach, served as the Engineering Officer on U-595. Götz Freiherr von Mirbach was later promoted to Korvettenkapitän and served as commander of the 9. Schnellbootflottille.

Von Mirbach participated in the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland. He was a member of the German 6 metre class sailing crew which finished in tenth place.