Schmitt, Erich (Grenadier-Regiment 118)

Date of birth:: May 16th, 1920 (Weiher-Mörlenbach/Hesse, Germany)
Date of death:: March 29th, 2002 (Viernheim/Baden-Württemberg, Germany)
Nationality:: German

Biography

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Obergefreiter (Corporal)
Unit:: Gruppenführer III. / Grenadier-Regiment 118
Awarded on:: October 8th, 1943

On the 12.07.1943 the Soviets began launching major attacks on the Orel salient, including the sector of the 36. Infanterie-DIvision. Here the Obergefreiten Ernst David and Erich Schmitt were instructed to hold outposts in a resistance line about 1.5 km in front of Hill 250.6. After a heavy Soviet armoured attack these men were faced with multiple waves of attacking Soviet infantry. They fought for their lives, firing away with their MG-42s with all they had and inflicting heavy losses on the attackers. Ultimately they were able to hold the line long enough for Grenadier-Regiment 118 to take up new defensive positions. For their bravery on this day both men would receive the Knight’s Cross.

Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)