Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)

Unit:

Aufklärungs-Abteilung 20 (motorisiert) / Infanterie-Regiment 949 / 2. Panzer-Division

Awarded on:

August 15th, 1940

The following wartime excerpt (dated 30.08.1940) describes why Schönfeld received the Knight’s Cross…

“During the advance of a motorized Division von Langres to Vesoul (on the 16.06.1940), Oberstleutnant Schönfeld had an extremely important mission. He was to cover the northern flank of advancing friendly elements against strong enemy forces that were moving south towards Neufchateau via both vehicle and railway. He would fulfill this task by skillfully employing his Abteilung (which was by now severely depleted due to non-stop operations) and leading from the foremost line on a continual basis. The result was that his Abteilung succeeded in forcing enemy motorized columns to change their routes. The unit also interdicted the railway line at multiple locations, which in turn prevented 15 enemy trains from moving any further. Coordinated fire smashed those strong enemy forces that disembarked, forcing them to either flee or surrender.

Oberstleutnant Schönfeld succeeded in preventing all enemy breakthrough attempts from the north, which enabled the rest of his Division to conduct its march to Vesoul without interference. He thus had a major role in the overall successful operation at Vesoul due to the brave and decisive conduct that he displayed here.”