A picture of Oswald von Studnitz
My grandfather Oswald von Studnitz was born in 1871 as the son of Prussian Cavalry Major-General Benno von Studnitz. He entered the Imperial German Navy as a sea cadet in 1889, was promoted to officer candidate (Fähnrich zur See) and became an Ensign (Leutnant zur See) on the SMS Bussard 1895. Promoted to Lieutenant junior grade (Oberleutnant zur See) he became commander of a torpedo boat and was then promoted to Lieutenant (Kapitänleutnant) in 1901. Assigned as navigation officer of SMS Hagen in 1902 and SMS Moltke in 1903, he became a company commander in the landed Wharf Division in 1905. Promoted Lieutenant Commander (Korvettenkapitän) in 1907, he was assigned as navigation officer of SMS Elsass, and soon thereafter first officer of SMS Roon. In 1909 he became commander of the 3rd Abteilung of the 1st Matrosendivision, and in 1910 director of armaments at the Imperial Naval wharf in Wilhelmshaven. Promoted to Commander (Fregattenkapitän) in 1911, in Oct. 1912 became commanding officer of SMS München from October 1912 to February 1915, and was promoted to Captain (Kapitän zur See) in 1914. He participated in the naval bombardment of Yarmouth on the English Coast and the engagement at the Dogger Bank in January 1915. Policy disagreements with the Naval Ministry led to his transfer as commander of the 2nd Torpedo Boat Division in February 1915, and his retirement at the end of the year. In World War II, too old for active service, he directed the military post office at Eckenfoerde from 1939-41. He had been awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class, the Order of the Red Eagle 3rd Class with Swords, as well as the Royal Hohenzollern House Order and the Imperial Ottoman Order of the Medjidjie, and was a Knight of the Order of St. John. When he died in 1963 he was the last surviving full Captain of the Imperial German Navy.