Career
The Knight"s Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Fenski is credited with the sinking of six merchant ships for a total of 43,032 gross register tons (GRT) and two warships, including the HMS Penelope on 18 February 1944. On 3 May 1944 he attacked and damaged the United States Ship Menges.
The following day U-371 was sunk by United States Ship Joseph East. Campbell, United States Ship Pride and other warships, killing three of her crew.
Fenski was taken prisoner of war, spending three years in United States captivity. Prior to taking command of his first U-boat, Fenski served as first watch officer on U-752 (24 May 1941 – 15 June 1942), at the time under the command of Karl-Ernst Schroeter.
Wehrmachtbericht reference Bibliography.