he got his dkig july 26th,1944.last mission of his sub ended july 19th 1944.i presume that he was a long-time member of the sub (in times where crews were constantly combed and replaced because of the need for experienced personnel for new subs) and thus got the dkig for his long time achievements and his part in the subs successes.

it is unlikely that he got the dkig for infantry merits during the defence of lorient because the sub was not decomissioned before august 19th 1944 and scuttled aug 18th 1944. the sub itself was not able to sail for a norwegian base for the lack of battery replacemnts and a general degree of wear and tear which prohibited its use as seagoing vessel.the sub first became us war booty,then french war booty.in 1946 it was broken up.