Propaganda Photograph – RKT Schnellboot Kommandant Kurt Fimmen

Original Propaganda Photograph – Knight’s Cross Schnellboot Commander Oberleutnant zur See Kurt Fimmen

• Subject: Oberleutnant zur See Kurt Fimmen (1911–2001), commander of Schnellboot S-26, holder of the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross).

  • Depicted as the Knight’s Cross–decorated commander of a Schnellboot formation, highlighted in propaganda under the caption „Schnellboote voran“.

• Unit: 1. Schnellbootsflottille

• Award: Knight’s Cross on 14 August 1940, for leadership and successes with Schnellboot S-26.

• Caption Reference: No. 5614/6

• Date/Reporter: Blitz-Attl., 12 September 1940 / Kriegsberichter Ortling

• Agency Stamp: Franz A. Schostal (Vienna) verso

• Size: approx. 18 × 13 cm

• Condition: As seen (handling traces and age wear, agency stamp on reverse)

Historical Note:
Kurt Fimmen, born 4 May 1911 in Wittenberge, Brandenburg, was a distinguished Schnellboot commander during WWII. He received the Knight’s Cross in August 1940 for his aggressive and successful leadership of S 26 in the English Channel. Postwar, he was held as a POW from May to August 1945, later living in Nordhorn, Lower Saxony, where he died in 2001. Propaganda photographs like this underlined the daring image of Schnellboot crews and their commanders, who were often celebrated as naval heroes.