Research Oberleutnant zur See Karl Knappe

[Amberg]

Hello,

I'm researching the vita of Karl Knappe.
What I was able to find out so far:

Born: 16.03.1912 (maybe in Spain)
Grew up in Spain, near Burgos on Finca Anker.
Joined the Spanish Boy Scouts (Pumas) and participated in the 3rd World Jamboree in Birkenhead (UK) 1929
Visited the German school in Madrid.
His sister (Marie Luise) married the principal of the German school in Madrid, Willy Schulz (Willy was a dedicated Nazi, and when the school was closed down due to the SCW they went back to Germany and he joined the Luftwaffe)
Karl Knappe joined the German Navy in 1931 as officer candidate (crew 31)
After his basic training he was commanded onboard the cruiser Karlsruhe for the world travel 1931/32. After their return Karl Knappe served on different ships of the German Navy. Torpedoboot T155, cruiser Leipzig ....
In 1935 he was promoted to Leutnant zur See and till 1936 he was on board of Vermessungsschiff Meteor.

NOW THERE IS A GAP FOR 1937/38
edit: in February 1937 Karl sent a postcard from Algeciras to his parents in Germany. The Postcard bears a Spanish censorship stamp "Censura Militar Algeciras"
In October 1939 he was promoted to Kapitänleutnant and participated in Unternehmen Weserübung (1940) on board of cruiser Blücher (sunk).
After his return from Norway he was commanded on board the Bismarck and shared the fate of the ship in May 1941.

I have two photos showing Karl Knappe in 1937/38. One shows him in uniform of the Legion Condor in early 1939.

I assume that he joined the LC as an observer in AS88.
Any chance to find out more about his time in the Legion Condor?
Thanks for any help!
With very best regards.
Wolfgang

PS: attached photo shows him with his mother and sister Marie Luise.

[Amberg]

Photo showing Karl Knappe in LC uniform.

[von thoma]

The above picture shows him, wearing a Kapitänleutnant uniform, and decorated with a Spanienkreuz 1. Klasse ( Gold or Silber) mit Schwertern.

Bismarck crew, Division III ( Seamens Division ), Kapitänleutnant Karl Knappe ( Artillery Officer, Main Turret C ), Date of Death : 27/05/1941.

[luftk]

This is strange. He appears in the 1936 Rank List but not in the 1938 or 1944 editions. He is also not listed in Die Kriegsmarine 1939-1945 (Hildebrand & Lohmann)

[Amberg]

Thanks.
A fellow collector told me that Karl Knappe was assigned to the Luftwaffe in early 1939.
Attached photo shows him and a comrade with their brand new Spanienkreuze at the victory parade in Berlin, June 6th 1939.
Thanks
Wolfgang

[luftk]

I don't see him in the Luftwaffe Career summaries either!

[Amberg]

That's what I say. ;-(
I can find Karl Knappe in official documents from his birth 1912 to his death in 1941. But nothing for the years 1937/38.
We know that he was in Spain with the Legion Condor. But that's it.
In 1935 he achieved the diploma for Spanish interpreters. Maybe he was assigned to a Spanish military school as naval instructor?
Anybody out there with experience searching Spanish archives?

Thanks
Wolfgang