Allegiance Nazi Germany Service number SS #311,100 Name Walter Schmidt Battles and wars World War II Rank Obersturmbannfuhrer | Years of service 1935–45 Battles/wars World War II Role SS officer Service/branch Waffen-SS | |
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Born 28 January 1917Bremen, Germany ( 1917-01-28 ) Awards Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak LeavesGerman Cross in GoldIron Cross 1st ClassIron Cross 2nd ClassGeneral Assault BadgeEastern FrontClose Combat Clasp in SilverWound Badge in SilverTank Destruction Badge in SilverInfantry Assault Badge in Silver Died July 28, 2000, Bremen, Germany Unit 5th SS Panzer Division Wiking, 38th SS Division Nibelungen Similar People Dwight D Eisenhower, Gerd von Rundstedt, Trafford Leigh‑Mallory, Bertram Ramsay, Philippe Kieffer | ||
Walter Schmidt (28 January 1917 – 28 July 2000) was an Obersturmbannfuhrer (Lieutenant Colonel) in the Waffen SS during World War II. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, an award that recognized extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.
Walter Schmidt joined the SS in 1935 (SS-Nr. 311,100) and was posted to the III. Battalion, SS Standarte Germania. He was later selected to become an officer, attending the SS-Junkerschule at Bad Tolz. Upon graduation he was promoted to Untersturmfuhrer (Second Lieutenant). He returned to the Germania as a platoon commander in the 4th Company, in time for the Polish Campaign. After that campaign he was given command of the Panzerspahzuges (Armoured car platoon) in the SS-VT Division, serving with them over the Battle of France.
In June 1941 he was posted to the Wiking Division, and took part in the invasion of Russia, Operation Barbarossa. On 9 April he was awarded the German Cross in Gold and was given command of the III. Battalion, Westland, SS Wiking.
Schmidt was awarded the Knight's Cross for his battalion's successful defense in the Izium sector. He then led his battalion out of the Cherkassy pocket, for which he was promoted to Hauptsturmfuhrer (Captain) and was awarded the Oak leaves to his Knight's Cross.
In November 1944 he was promoted again to Sturmbannfuhrer (Major) and returned to the SS-Junkerschule in January 1945 as an instructor.
In March 1945, he was given command of the 96th SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment, the 38th SS Division Nibelungen, which was formed from instructors and students from the SS Junkerschule. The regiment surrendered to the American forces on the 8 May 1945.
Schmidt survived the war and died on the 28 July 2000 in his home town of Bremen, Germany.