During the Second World War Curt Schille finally reached the rank of Major. After the war he served with the Bundeswehr and reached the rank of Oberstleutnant.
Awarded for the following actions in the summer of 1944…
1) During the heavy fighting SE of Polozk following the start of Operation Bagration, on the 25.06.1944, the Fusilier-Bataillon 24 was ordered to clean up a Soviet penetration in the sector of the left neighbour. After the fall of its commander the attack stalled. At this point Major Schille joined the battle with his 3./Pionier-Bataillon 24, and with the help of two Sturmgeschütze he was able to revitalize the pinned Fusiliers, seal off the penetration and defeat all further Soviet attacks in this sector.
2) On the 18.07.1944 the Division took up a new defensive line between the Sivera and Dagda lakes. In the evening hours of the next day the Soviets attacked this new line with strong forces and created a deep penetration. The Pionier-Bataillon 24 was immediately dispatched to the area and managed to seal it off. Later, during a reconnaissance for a further counterattack, Major Schille infiltrated into an Soviet tank assembly area along with just his Adjutant and an ordnance officer. Here they knocked out three Soviet tanks with Panzerfausts. When the Soviets began their renewed assault in the morning, Schille’s Bataillon staff was hit and Schille himself was badly wounded. As those around him prepared to evacuate him, Schille perceived that his absence would cause his troops to fail in their defense. Leaving his stretcher, Schille went to the frontline once again and stormed forward with his men with a loud “Hurra”. The line was successfully held.
544th Award.