August Schmidt (Luftwaffe)

Updated on Sep 30, 2024

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Years of service 1901–221935–45 Name August Schmidt		Commands held Luftgau VI Role Luftwaffe
Allegiance German Empire (to 1918) Weimar Republic (to 1922) Nazi Germany Rank General der Flakartillerie Battles/wars World War IWorld War IIBattle of FranceDefense of the Reich Died November 23, 1955, Rotenburg an der Wumme, Germany Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Battles and wars World War I, Battle of France, Defence of the Reich, World War II Service/branch German Army (1901–1918)

August Schmidt (1 February 1883 – 23 November 1955) was a highly decorated General der Flakartillerie in the Luftwaffe during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. August Schmidt was captured by British troops on 8 May 1945. In October 1947 he was sentenced to life imprisonment because of war crimes committed against captured British airman. His sentence was later reduced to ten years, and in 1950 he was released due to health reasons.