Bernhard Rogge

Bernhard Rogge (November 4, 1899 - 1982) was a Kapitän zur See of the German Kriegsmarine who, during World War II, commanded a merchant raider. He was awarded a Japanese ornate Samurai sword and the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for his actions as the commander of the Hilfskreuzer (auxiliary cruiser) Atlantis (Schiff 16).

Rogge became a Vizeadmiral (vice-admiral) by the end of World War II, and eventually became a Konteradmiral (rear-admiral) of the West German Bundesmarine.

Compliments

The skipper of the British vessel, City of Baghdad, which the Atlantis sunk in July of 1941, stated, "His treatment of prisoners left respect, instead of hatred."

Military Career of Bernhard Rogge

• 1915 -- Joins the Kaiserliche Marine (Imperial German Navy) as an ensign
• After World War I -- serves on various cruisers
• September 1939 -- assigned to the Hilfskreuzer Atlantis
  • mid-December 1939 -- the Atlantis is formally commissioned
  • March 31, 1940 -- the Atlantis sets out to sea
  • November 22, 1941 -- the Atlantis is sunk by HMS Devonshire
• After World War II -- discharged
• After World War II -- joins the West German Bundesmarine
• 1962 -- retires as a Konteradmiral