Karl-Heinz Moehle

Karl-Heinz Moehle (31 July 1910 – 17 November 1996) was a German U-boat commander of the Second World War. From September 1939 until retiring from front line service in June 1941, he sank 21 ships for a total of . For this he received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross , among other commendations.

Early life Moehle was born on 31 July 1910 in Norden, East Frisia. He entered the navy in April 1930 at the age of 19 and spent his initial training aboard the school ship . He transferred to the U-boat force in March 1936 and by 1 June was promoted to Oberleutnant zur See. He took command of his first boat, on 1 October 1937 and commissioned her for sea. On 1 April 1939 he was promoted to Kapitänleutnant and on the outbreak of the Second World War, took U-20 on his first war cruise. Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (23 September 1939) Italian War Cross for Military Valor with Swords (1 November 1941) German Cross in Silver (1 May 1945) War Merit Cross with Swords 2nd Class (1 September 1944) 1st Class (30 January 1945)