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Walter Schmidt (28 January 1917 – 28 July 2000) was an ''Obersturmbannführer'' (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 Tölz. Upon graduation he was promoted to ''Untersturmführer'' (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 ''Panzerspähzuges'' (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 ''Hauptsturmführer'' (Captain) and was awarded the Oak leaves to his Knight's Cross.〔〔〔Fellgiebel, p.311〕 In November 1944 he was promoted again to ''Sturmbannführer'' (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. ==Awards== * Iron Cross (1939) * * 2nd Class (20 September 1939)〔Thomas 1998, p. 271.〕 * * 1st Class (14 September 1941)〔 * German Cross in Gold on 9 April 1943 as SS-''Hauptsturmführer'' in the 11./SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Westland"〔Patzwall & Scherzer 2001, p. 414.〕 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves * * Knight's Cross on 4 August 1943 as SS-''Hauptsturmführer'' and leader of the III./SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 10 "Westland"〔Fellgiebel 2000, p. 382.〕 * * 721st Oak Leaves on 14 May 1944 as SS-''Hauptsturmführer'' and commander of the II./SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Westland"〔〔Fellgiebel 2000, p. 83.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Walter Schmidt (SS officer)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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