Deutsches Kreuz in SilberKriegsmarine Großadmiral wrote:Awards of Konteradmiral Heinz-Eduard Menche?
1914 Eisernes Kreuz 1. u. 2. Klasse
Lübecksches Hanseatenkreuz
Großherzoglich Mecklenburg-Schwerinsches Militärverdienstkreuz
Königlich Württembergischer Friedrichs-Orden, Ritterkreuz 1. Klasse mit Schwertern
Verwundetenabzeichen der Marine in schwarz
Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer
Königlich Dänischer Dannebrog-Orden, Ritterkreuz
Königlich Italienischer St. Mauritius- u. Lazarus-Orden, Ritterkreuz
Since he had the DKiS and was not a front officer, he presumably also received the Kriegsverdienstkreuz 1. u. 2. Klasse mit Schwertern (some front officers who had the EK1 would receive the DKiS without having already received a KVK).
Kratzenberg's entry in the Crew Chronik for the Crew of 1914 does not mention it. Other officers in that Crew Chronik have theirs listed, as well as other combat badges. So I cannot say one way or another. Maybe a good photo will turn up.Could Konteradmiral Ernst Kratzenberg have recieved the WW1 U-Boot-Kriegsabzeichen? He was a Watch-Officer on ‘U 60’, II. Submarine-Flotilla (27 Jun 1918-04 Jan 1919).
I had the impression that he was only on training cruises during 1918. However, the Wikipedia article on the SMS König mentions some combat patrols, so you are probably correct that he did enough to receive the Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer.And do you agree Fritz Krauss recieved the Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer?