Date of birth:

October 17th, 1905 (Düsseldorf/Western Phalia, Germany)

Date of death:

August 18th, 1944 (Arta, Greece)

Buried on:

German War Cemetery Dionyssos-Rapendoza
Plot: 1. Row: 12. Grave: 3.

Service number:

SS-Nr.: 422.550 // NSDAP-Nr.: 1.759.609

Nationality:

German

Karl Schümers joined the Landespolizei Westfalen as Polizeianwärter in 1927. In 1936 he was promoted to Leutnant der Landespolizei, in 1938 to Oberleutnant der Schutzpolizei and in 1939 to Hauptmann der Schutzpolizei. On 1st September 1939 he went to the SS as Kompaniechef with 7. / SS-Polizei-Regiment 1 and SS-number 422.550. Before he was appointed as Chef 3. / SS-Polizei-Aufklärungs-Abteilung in June 1944, he was in 1940 promoted to Major der Schutzpolizei, then Oberstleutnant der Schutzpolizei and finally Oberst der Schutzpolizei. In August 1941 he was promoted to SS-Hauptsturmführer with RDA 01.01.1940. Promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer the 01st April 1942 with RDA 05.01.1942. In August 1942, then SS-Sturmbannführer he was placed with the II. / SS-Polizei-Schützen-Regiment as the new Kommandeur. Promoted to SS-Obersturmbannführer the 20th April 1943. In May 1943 he became Kommandeur of the SS-Panzegrenadier-Regiment 7 with the ranking of SS-Obersturmbannführer. On April 5th, 1944, Karl Schümers commanded the execution of 280 civilians, primarily woman and children, in the Greek village of Kleisoura. On 20th April 1944 his final promotion to SS-Standartenführer followed, after which he on 22nd July became the temporary Kommandeur of the 4.SS-Polizei-Panzergrenadier-Division. On 16th August 1944, Karl Schümers was killed in mineexplosions by Greek partisans.

Promotions:
January 1st, 1940: SS-Hauptsturmführer;
April 1st, 1942: SS-Sturmbannführer / Major der Schützpolizei (entering January 5th, 1942);
April 20th, 1943: SS-Obersturmbannführer;
April 20th, 1944: SS-Standartenführer;
August 23rd, 1944: SS-Oberführer / Oberführer der Waffen SS (posthumously, entering August 1st, 1944).

Career:
01.04.1933: joined the NSDAP
00.08.1941: SS-Hstuf, Chef, 3. Schwadron, SS-Polizei-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 4, SS-Polizei-Division
00.08.1942: SS-Stubaf, Kommandeur, II. Bataillon, SS-Polizei-Schützen-Regiment 1, 4. SS-Polizei-Panzergrenadier-Division
00.05.1943: SS-Ostubaf, Kdr, SS-Polizei-Regiment 7, 4. SS-Polizei-Panzergrenadier-Division
05.07.1944-13.07.1944: SS-Staf, Kommandeur, 4. SS-Polizei-Panzergrenadier-Division
22.07.1944-18.08.1944: SS-Staf, Kommandeur, 4. SS-Polizei-Panzergrenadier-Division
18.08.1944: SS-Staf, KIA when his vehicle drove on a landmine near Arta, Greece

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Awarded on:

1936

Awarded on:

1939

Awarded on:

1939

Awarded on:

1939

Awarded on:

1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

June 19th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

July 1st, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Sturmbannführer / Major der Schutzpolizei

Unit:

II. Bataillon, Polizei-Schützen-Regiment 1, Waffen-SS

Awarded on:

August 3rd, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

SS-Sturmbannführer / Major der Schutzpolizei

Unit:

Kommandeur, II. Bataillon, Polizei-Schützen-Regiment 1, Waffen-SS

Awarded on:

September 30th, 1942

Schümer's Knight's Cross recommendation reads as follows...
"On the 19th of August the focal point of the enemy attack was where SS-Sturmbannführer Schümer's II Battalion sat. The enemy's heavy attacks and multiple landings at the mouth of the Tossna River succeeded in breaking Schümer's right flank and reached the road bridge. SS-Sturmbannführer Schümers recognized the threat to the southern sector and the strategically important bridges there. He launched a counterattack into the flank of the enemy thrust, defeating the enemy push and reclaiming the lost ground.
On the 23rd of August he was attacked by about 2-3 enemy regiments with support from armour, aircraft and heavy artillery; who pushed to the road bridge and pushed friendly Polizei back as far as the Kirov railroad. SS-Sturmbannführer Schümers led a counterattack with remnants of his men together with some recently arrived replacements from Germany. Close combat followed and SS-Sturmbannführer Schümer's personal daring and vigorous actions succeeded in retaking the lost ground, including vital bridges, wiping out the majority of the enemy and causing startled enemy survivors to flee.
Through SS-Sturmbannführer Schümers' resolute bravery at decisive moments in this battle, he defeated the enemy attacks and prevented these key areas from becoming enemy held territory. This also prevented the Russians from advancing towards Mga and ultimately Leningrad. He helped defeat two enemy divisions, along with regiments and battalions, tanks and boats also.
For outstanding personal bravery in decisive battle situations, together with precise tactical handling, I consider SS-Sturmbannführer Schümers especially worthy of being awarded the Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross."

• Photo 1: Public Domain
• Photo 2:
• Photo 3:
• - FELLGIEBEL, W.P., Elite of theThird Reich, Helion & Company Limited, Solihull, 2003.
  - MOONEY, PETER, Waffen-SS Knights and their Battles, Schiffer Pub Ltd, 2008.
  - PATZWALL, K. & SCHERZER, V., Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941-1945, Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall, Norderstedt, 2001.
  - Die Ordensträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht (CD), VMD-Verlag GmbH, Osnabrück, 2002
  - Mitteilungsblatt FM, Heft 1, I/2007, Deutsches Wehrkundearchiv, Lage, 2007
  - Die träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eiserne Kreuz 1939 - 1945
  - Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge e.V.
  

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