The following press article, dated 09.11.1940, describes why Erdmenger would be awarded the Knight’s Cross…
“Korvettenkapitän Ermenger has participated in numerous operations against the English coast as the captain of a destroyer, specifically the command destroyer of Kommodore Bonte, and was heavily involved the the successes achieved during these operations. Later on, during the operation of our destroyers against Narvik, his outstanding navigational and naval expertise ensured that our ships reached the Narvik harbour before the English naval forces despite the very difficult sea conditions.
After the loss of his destroyer, he would go on to serve as a Bataillon and Kompanie commander during the fighting around Narvik, and in this capacity he especially distinguished himself. General der Gebirgstruppen Dietl would later attribute the swift transition of the destroyer crews into units capable of mountain operations to the energy and prudence of Korvettenkapitän Erdmenger. He and his sailor detachments would prove themselves quite well during the marches through the snow-covered arctic mountains as well as in the combat that had to be fought under difficult conditions. Only his personal devotion to duty was responsible for his soldiers holding up as well as they did given their insufficient equipment and limited supplies.”
