Walter Gerhold – Kleinkampfflotille 361

“The 23 year old Schreiberobergefreiter Walter Gerhold, from Sauerland, is the first lone fighter from the Kriegsmarine to be awarded the Knight’s Cross for sinking a British cruiser of the ‘Aurora Class’ under the most difficult of conditions. Commanding his human torpedo, Gerhold passed by six British destroyers at very close range, broke through the security ring and attacked a cruiser lying behind it following a skillful and calculated approach. The ship went down after suffering a major boiler explosion. Due to his bravery before the enemy Gerhold was also promoted to Schreibermaat.”