Heinrich Petersen

Who was Heinrich Petersen?

Heinrich Petersen was a German U-boat machinist in World War II and 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 participated on eight war patrols on U-23 before transferring to U-99 for further eight war patrols. All of his war patrols were made under the command of Otto Kretschmer.

Kretschmer had recommended Petersen for the Knight's Cross after twelve war patrols for saving U-99 from enemy detection. Petersen was taken prisoner of war on 17 March 1941 when U-99 was scuttled after depth charging by HMS Walker.