Career
The Knight"s Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Von Gartzen took command of torpedo boat T-25 on 15 April 1943. Von Gartzen was part of a 4.
Torpedo Boat Flotilla, under the command of Franz Kohlauf, task force consisting of five torpedo boats T-23, T-26, T-27, T-22 and T-25 in a night battle on 22/23 October 1943 in which the Germans sunk the British cruiser Charybdis and escort destroyer Limbourne.
On 28 December 1943, Von Gartzen as commander of T-25 fought in the Battle of the Bay of Biscay. The battle, which was fought as part of the Allied Operation Stonewall, intercepted the German blockade runners off the west coast of France.
On 29 December, U-505 rescued 35 survivors, including Von Gartzen. Bibliography.
