Awarded on:

1936

Awarded on:

October 25th, 1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

October 2nd, 1939

other sources indicate 06.10.1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

May 28th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Hauptmann (Captain)

Unit:

Chef, 3. Kompanie, Panzer-Regiment 4

Awarded on:

May 30th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

August 3rd, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

December 21st, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Kommandeur, schwere Panzer-Abteilung 507

Awarded on:

June 9th, 1944

Awarded the Knight’s Cross for actions at Suchodolskie. An armoured formation, consisting of the sPz.Abt. 507, the Pz.Abt. 301 and the last intact company of the Panzer-Regiment 10 was assembled and put under the command of Major Schmidt. The formation was in turn subordinated to the 8. Panzer-Division. On 21.03.1944 it launched an attack west of the road at Radziwillow in the direction of Brody. Here the Tigers of the sPz.Abt. 507 particularly distinguished themselves, destroying entire groups of enemy tanks.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

August 21st, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

August 30th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Führer, Panzer-Regiment, Führer-Grenadier-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

May 9th, 1945

Schmidt’s Oakleaves’ recommendation reads as follows…

“Major Schmidt, commander of Panzer-Regiment F.G.D., has already previously distinguished himself through his attacking spirit and bravery during the fighting on the western front in the Sauer sector.

He led his Regiment to decisive achievements during its battles at Heiderscheidt, Kaundorf, Berle and the Eschdorf bridgehead. His bold armoured attacks repeatedly succeeded in besting much larger enemy tank forces while providing invaluable aid to the supporting Panzergrenadiers.

Now, during the more recent operations in Pomerania, Major Schmidt has once again distinguished himself as a supremely bold leader during the advance against Nantikow and Buchholz. His personal example under fire has likewise inspired his men to give their utmost.

Major Schmidt particularly distinguished himself as a Kampfgruppe commander during the fighting around Lauban. The Division had received the mission of advancing forwards through Ober-Bielau, Güntersdorf and along the street towards Naumburg in order to block the Lauban—Naumburg road and thereby close the ring around enemy forces at Lauban. But repeated attacks from the south against Günthersdorf failed in the face of extensive enemy field positions that were well-equipped with heavy weapons. A new axis of advance thus had to be taken, and so Major Schmidt and his Kampfgruppe (consisting of elements of the Panzer-Abteilung, the SPW Bataillon and the II. Grenadier-Bataillon) were ordered to assemble at Ober-Bielau for a new mission. The Kampfgruppe was to thrust southwards via the Butter-Berg and Fichtel-Berg before crushing the enemy forces in and around Ziethen-Hennersdorf.

Moving out at 12:00, the Kampfgruppe pushed through the difficult terrain and managed to advance forwards against the Butter-Berg and Fichtel-Berg. Fighting skillfully, it managed to overcome both of the well-constructed and commanding strongpoints by 15:00 on the same day.

Major Schmidt then left behind an armoured security detachment before launching a surprise thrust towards the south. He and his men reached Ziethen-Hennersdorf and rolled up the garrison of the village with lighting speed.

The occupation of the Fichtel-Berg and Ziethen-Hennersdorf also had the added bonus of freeing up the entire 6. Volksgrenadier-Division, which had previously been tied down whilst providing flank protection towards the north in the direction of these locations.

Although the attacking objective had been reached, Major Schmidt immediately reorganized his Kampfgruppe for a continued advance. He knew that his superiors would want him to continue moving forwards to Sächsisch-Haugsdorf, and he perceived the necessity of doing just this without delay. In the fighting which followed the enemy forces along the Ziethen-Hennersdorf—Sächsisch-Haugsdorf road were pushed back, and Sächsisch-Haugsdorf itself was taken at 04:00 on the 05.03.1945 in a surprise attack.

In this fighting the following enemy materiel was destroyed:

4 T-34s
1 IS-2.

The following enemy materiel was captured:

4 T-34s
10 heavy anti-tank guns
4 light anti-tank guns
1 heavy machine-gun.

This victory is primarily the achievement of Major Schmidt, who guaranteed the speed and steadiness of the attack through his aggressive leadership. In all this time he operated with ruthlessness at the foremost line. He personally guided his Panzer through minefield lanes, directed his Panzers to the decisive locations and reenergized the offensive actions of his Panzergrenadiers wherever their attacks threatened to stall.

Major Schmidt demonstrated a high level of bravery and stamina during the crisis situations of this decisive operation.

The Division therefore requests that the achievements of this outstanding officer be recognized through the award of the Oakleaves to the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross.”

The Heerespersonalamt (HPA—Army Staff Office) received Erich Schmidt's nomination on 24-3-1945. Major Joachim Domaschk noted three days later: "Insufficient for the Oak Leaves!". Nevertheless an HAP entry nomination without nomination number was created on 29 March and presented to General Wilhelm Burgdorf. Burgdorf noted on 31 March: "Request advisory opinion from the commanding general!" and returned the nomination to the HPA. Major Domaschk requested via teleprinter the statement of the XXXIX. Panzerkorps. The Panzerkorps answered on 5 April via teleprinter that they are not responsible since the respective division was only subordinated to the corps for a very short time and never in action. Domaschk then requested the advisory opinion from the LVII. Panzerkorps on 8 April, which was not received by 28 April. On this day Domaschk noted "Wait" and ordered the re-presentation for 5 May. The nomination remained unprocessed after this date. The nomination list of the higher grade of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves notes the entry date of 24 March and that the nomination was forwarded to General Burgdorf on 29-3-1945. A presentation date is not stated and a comment says "further enquiry". The Order Commission of the Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (OdR) processed this case in 1982 and decided: "Oak Leaves yes, 9-5-1945". It appears that the OdR had questioned a witness, the former adjutant of the Army to the Commander-in-chief of the Wehrmacht Willy Johannmeyer, he wrote to the OdR on 29-3-1968: "By all means, I cannot remember a pick-up of the Oak Leaves for Mr Oberleutnant Erich Schmidt", but according to the Kommandant and Adjutant of the Führer-Grenadier-Division the awarding was made. No confirmation has been found in any archive. The presentation number "876" was assigned by the OdR. The presentation date was assigned by Fellgiebel. Schmidt was a member of the OdR.