Theodor Burchardi


Theodor Burchardi was an Admiral with the Kriegsmarine during World War II and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves of Nazi Germany. He was responsible for organising the evacuation of 2 million people from Courland and Eastern Prussia at the end of World War II in Operation Hannibal and the Evacuation of East Prussia.

Biography

Burchardi entered 1. April 1911 the Kaiserliche Marine as a see cadet and was trained on the Large cruiser SMS Hansa. During his attendance at Marineschule he was promoted 15. April 1912 to Midshipman and was transferred 1. October 1913 to the large cruiser SMS Seydlitz.
Just after the start of World War I he was promoted 3. August 1914 to Lieutenant. On 3. Januar 1915 he was transferred to the large cruiser SMS Moltke and from 6. May to 15. June 1915 he attended an artillery course on SMS Kaiserin Augusta. After that he was transferred to 1. Torpedo boats half flottile as watch officer. After his promotion to Lieutenant 1st grade 26. April 1917 Burchardi took over Torpedo boat G 39 as his first command, that he continued until end 1918.

Awards