Theodor Burchardi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Theodor Burchardi
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 14 May 1892 Homberg |
| Died | 12 August 1983 (aged 91) Gluecksburg |
| Allegiance |  German Empire Weimar Republic Nazi Germany |
| Service/ |
Kriegsmarine |
| Years of service | 1911–45 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands held | Cruiser Köln Commanding admiral "Ostland" |
| Battles/wars | World War I
|
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves |
Theodor Burchardi (born May 14, 1892 – died August 12, 1983) was a high-ranking officer, an Admiral, in the German Navy during World War II. He was part of the Kriegsmarine, which was the navy of Nazi Germany. He received a special award called the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves.
Admiral Burchardi is best known for his important role in Operation Hannibal. This was a huge effort at the end of World War II. He helped organize the rescue of about 2 million people. These people were evacuated from areas like Courland and Eastern Prussia to safety.
Theodor Burchardi was born in a town called Homberg. He joined the German Navy on April 1, 1911. He started as a sea cadet, which is like a trainee officer. His first training ship was the large cruiser SMS Hansa.
While he was at naval school, he was promoted to Midshipman in 1912. After that, he moved to another large cruiser, the SMS Seydlitz.
World War I Service
Soon after World War I began, Burchardi was promoted to Lieutenant in August 1914. He then served on the large cruiser SMS Moltke. He also took a special course on artillery, which is about big guns.
Later, he became a watch officer on a group of torpedo boats. In 1917, he was promoted again to Lieutenant 1st grade. At this point, he got his first command: the torpedo boat G 39. He commanded this boat until the end of World War I in 1918.
Between the Wars
After World War I, Burchardi continued his career in the navy. On January 1, 1937, he was promoted to Captain. He then took command of the light cruiser Köln.
He commanded the Köln during patrols off the coast of Spain. This was during the Spanish Civil War, a conflict happening in Spain at that time.
World War II and Evacuation Efforts
When World War II started, the cruiser Köln was in the Baltic Sea. Burchardi left command of the Köln in January 1940. He then became the chief of staff at the German Navy shipyard in Kiel.
In January 1941, he was promoted to Rear Admiral. As Germany prepared for Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union, Burchardi was given a new role. He became the Naval Commander D.
Commanding Admiral in Ostland
On November 6, 1941, Burchardi was appointed as the Commanding Admiral in a region called Ostland. This was an area in Eastern Europe. He was promoted to Vice Admiral in February 1943.
Evacuation Operations
In June 1944, Burchardi became the Commanding Admiral of the Eastern Baltic Sea. He was promoted to Admiral on January 1, 1945. He led naval units in Operation Aster. This operation was about evacuating German troops and civilians from Estonia.
In the last months of the war, Admiral Burchardi played a very important role. He commanded naval units in Operation Hannibal. He was in charge of organizing the evacuation of about 2 million people. These people were fleeing from areas like Courland and East Prussia as the war ended. This was one of the largest sea evacuations in history.
Theodor Burchardi passed away in Gluecksburg in 1983.
Awards and Recognition
- Iron Cross (1914) 2nd Class (January 24, 1915) & 1st Class (September 27, 1919)
- Wehrmacht Long Service Award 4th to 1st Class (October 2, 1936)
- Sudetenland Medal (December 20, 1939)
- Memel Medal (June 3, 1940)
- Clasp to the Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (October 10, 1939) & 1st Class (January 18, 1940)
- Order of the Cross of Liberty 1st Class with Swords (June 7, 1943)
- German Cross in Gold (March 31, 1944)
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
- Knight's Cross on September 29, 1944, as Vice Admiral and commanding admiral Ostland
- 823rd Oak Leaves on April 8, 1945, as Admiral and commanding admiral Eastern Baltic Sea
