Erich Schmidt
Date of Birth: 10.02.1911 - Gießen, Hesse (German Empire)
Date of Death: 13.11.1977 - Bensheim an der Bergstraße, Hesse (West Germany)
Promotions:
01.04.1934 Fahnenjunker
01.04.1936 Leutnant
00.00.1939 Oberleutnant
00.00.1942 Hauptmann
00.00.1943 Major
00.00.1945 Oberstleutnant
00.00.19__ Oberstleutnant der Bundeswehr
Career:
01.04.1934 Fahnenjunker in Kraftfahrabteilung 6
00.03.1938 Adjutant II.Abteilung / Panzer-Regiment 4
00.10.1941 Chef 3.Kompanie / I.Abteilung / Panzer-Regiment 4
00.03.1943 Kommandeur I.Abteilung / Panzer-Regiment 4
00.10.1943 Kommandeur schwere Panzer-Abteilung 507
00.10.1944 Kommandeur Panzer-Regiment / Führer-Grenadier-Brigade
00.05.1945 - 00.01.1950 Prisoner of War
00.00.195_ Entered the Bundeswehr
31.03.1967 Retired
Awards and Decorations:
00.00.19__ Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz
00.00.193_ Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht IV.Klasse
02.10.1939 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse
25.10.1939 Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938
25.10.1939 Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938 mit Spange "Prager Burg"
28.05.1940 Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse
00.00.194_ Verwundetenabzeichen in Silber
30.05.1942 Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
03.08.1942 Medaille "Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42" (Ostmedaille)
21.12.1943 Panzerkampfabzeichen in Silber
09.06.1944 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, as Major and Kommandeur schwere Panzer-Abteilung 507. Awarded for the actions at Suchodolskie. An armoured formation, consisting of the sPz.Abt. 507, the Pz.Abt. 301 and the last intact company of the Panzer-Regiment 10 was assembled and put under the command of Major Schmidt. The formation was in turn subordinated to the 8. Panzer-Division. On 21.03.1944 it launched an attack west of the road at Radziwillow in the direction of Brody. Here the Tigers of the sPz.Abt. 507 particularly distinguished themselves, destroying entire groups of enemy tanks.
21.08.1944 Verwundetenabzeichen in Gold
30.08.1944 Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht
09.05.1945 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub #876, as Führer Panzer-Regiment / Führer-Grenadier-Division. Schmidt’s Eichenlaub’ recommendation reads as follows: “Major Schmidt, commander of Panzer-Regiment F.G.D., has already previously distinguished himself through his attacking spirit and bravery during the fighting on the western front in the Sauer sector. He led his Regiment to decisive achievements during its battles at Heiderscheidt, Kaundorf, Berle and the Eschdorf bridgehead. His bold armoured attacks repeatedly succeeded in besting much larger enemy tank forces while providing invaluable aid to the supporting Panzergrenadiers. Now, during the more recent operations in Pomerania, Major Schmidt has once again distinguished himself as a supremely bold leader during the advance against Nantikow and Buchholz. His personal example under fire has likewise inspired his men to give their utmost. Major Schmidt particularly distinguished himself as a Kampfgruppe commander during the fighting around Lauban. The Division had received the mission of advancing forwards through Ober-Bielau, Güntersdorf and along the street towards Naumburg in order to block the Lauban—Naumburg road and thereby close the ring around enemy forces at Lauban. But repeated attacks from the south against Günthersdorf failed in the face of extensive enemy field positions that were well-equipped with heavy weapons. A new axis of advance thus had to be taken, and so Major Schmidt and his Kampfgruppe (consisting of elements of the Panzer-Abteilung, the SPW Bataillon and the II. Grenadier-Bataillon) were ordered to assemble at Ober-Bielau for a new mission. The Kampfgruppe was to thrust southwards via the Butter-Berg and Fichtel-Berg before crushing the enemy forces in and around Ziethen-Hennersdorf. Moving out at 12:00, the Kampfgruppe pushed through the difficult terrain and managed to advance forwards against the Butter-Berg and Fichtel-Berg. Fighting skillfully, it managed to overcome both of the well-constructed and commanding strongpoints by 15:00 on the same day. Major Schmidt then left behind an armoured security detachment before launching a surprise thrust towards the south. He and his men reached Ziethen-Hennersdorf and rolled up the garrison of the village with lighting speed. The occupation of the Fichtel-Berg and Ziethen-Hennersdorf also had the added bonus of freeing up the entire 6. Volksgrenadier-Division, which had previously been tied down whilst providing flank protection towards the north in the direction of these locations. Although the attacking objective had been reached, Major Schmidt immediately reorganized his Kampfgruppe for a continued advance. He knew that his superiors would want him to continue moving forwards to Sächsisch-Haugsdorf, and he perceived the necessity of doing just this without delay. In the fighting which followed the enemy forces along the Ziethen-Hennersdorf—Sächsisch-Haugsdorf road were pushed back, and Sächsisch-Haugsdorf itself was taken at 04:00 on the 05.03.1945 in a surprise attack. In this fighting the following enemy materiel was destroyed: 4 T-34s & 1 IS-2. The following enemy materiel was captured: 4 T-34s, 10 heavy anti-tank guns, 4 light anti-tank guns, & 1 heavy machine-gun. This victory is primarily the achievement of Major Schmidt, who guaranteed the speed and steadiness of the attack through his aggressive leadership. In all this time he operated with ruthlessness at the foremost line. He personally guided his Panzer through minefield lanes, directed his Panzers to the decisive locations and reenergized the offensive actions of his Panzergrenadiers wherever their attacks threatened to stall. Major Schmidt demonstrated a high level of bravery and stamina during the crisis situations of this decisive operation. The Division therefore requests that the achievements of this outstanding officer be recognized through the award of the Eichenlaub to the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes.”
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Erich Schmidt entered the Reichswehr in 1934 as a Fahnenjunker in Kraftfahrabteilung 6 and was promoted to Leutnant on April 1, 1936. He then transferred to the II.Abteilung / Panzer-Regiment 4 and became adjutant to the panzer battalion in March 1938. He took part in the Polish and western campaigns, fought in Russia from June 1941. In October 1941 he became chief of the 3rd Company / Panzer-Regiment 4. In March 1943, in the Kuban bridgehead, he was promoted to command of the I.Abteilung / Panzer-Regiment 4. Appointed in October 1943 he became commander of the schwere Panzer-Abteilung 507 in France, which he then led in the Eastern Front in the spring of 1944. For the combat successes of the detachment in the Tarnopol and Brody area, he was awarded the Ritterkreuz on June 9, 1944. In October 1944 he became commander of the Panzer Regiment of Führer-Grenadier-Brigade and led the unit in East Prussia. There he stood out in the defensive battles several times. At the end of the war he was awarded the Eichenlaub. Captured by the Americans, he was extradited to the Soviet Union and returned from captivity in January 1950. After the war he entered the West German Bundeswehr and retired on 31 March 1967 as Oberstleutnant.
The Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) received Erich Schmidt's Eichenlaub nomination on 24 March 1945. Major Joachim Domaschk noted three days later: "Insufficient for the Eichenlaub!". Nevertheless an HAP entry nomination without nomination number was created on 29 March and presented to General Wilhelm Burgdorf. Burgdorf noted on 31 March: "Request advisory opinion from the commanding general!" and returned the nomination to the HPA. Major Domaschk requested via teleprinter the statement of the XXXIX. Panzerkorps. The Panzerkorps answered on 5 April via teleprinter that they are not responsible since the respective division was only subordinated to the corps for a very short time and never in action. Domaschk then requested the advisory opinion from the LVII. Panzerkorps on 8 April, which was not received by 28 April. On this day Domaschk noted "Wait" and ordered the re-presentation for 5 May. The nomination remained unprocessed after this date. The nomination list of the higher grade of the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub notes the entry date of 24 March and that the nomination was forwarded to General Burgdorf on 29 March 1945. A presentation date is not stated and a comment says "further enquiry". The Order Commission of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (OdR) processed this case in 1982 and decided: "Eichenlaub yes, 9-5-1945". It appears that the OdR had questioned a witness, the former adjutant of the Army to the Commander-in-chief of the Wehrmacht Willy Johannmeyer, he wrote to the OdR on 29 March 1968: "By all means, I cannot remember a pick-up of the Eichenlaub for Herr Oberstleutnant Erich Schmidt", but according to the Kommandant and Adjutant of the Führer-Grenadier-Division the awarding was made. No confirmation has been found in any archive. The presentation number "876" was assigned by the OdR. The presentation date was assigned by Fellgiebel. Schmidt was a member of the OdR.
Source :
Jim Haley photo collection
https://shop.k-k-r.de/Neue-Artikel-Foto-Erich-Schmidt-Kommandeur-schwere-Panzer-Abteilung-507-Ritterkreuz-1944-1.html
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/17693/Schmidt-Erich-Wh-Panzer.htm
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