Awarded on:

1936

Awarded on:

1939

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

May 13th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

May 16th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Oberleutnant (Flying Officer)

Unit:

Chef, 1. Kompanie, Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 1

Awarded on:

May 29th, 1940

On the evening of 14.04.1940, the 1./Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 1 under the leadership of Leutnant Schmidt was deployed via parachute 8 km south of Dombas with the objective of preventing the link-up of Norwegian forces north of Oslo and the British 148th Infantry Brigade (who had landed that day at Åndalsnes). But in the dark and snowy conditions the men were quite scattered, and Schmidt was only able to gather 61 men to him. The rest would fight a guerrilla style war in small groups for as long as they could.

During the jump Schmidt was badly wounded. Nonetheless he continued to lead his men. And thus they took up blocking positions along the road between Lillehammer and Drontheim. During this time they defeated all Norwegian attacks which were launched in up to battalion strength, and also sent out raiding parties to sabotage the nearby railway line in several places. For four days and five nights the Kompanie managed to maintain its control of the road, until they were forced to surrender due to a lack of ammunition. Schmidt was temporarily imprisoned with his last 34 men, but they were released shortly afterwards as the Germans completed their conquest of Norway.

For his Kompanie’s outstanding performance during this action Schmidt would receive the Knight’s Cross.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)