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Schmidt, Richard (Infanterie-Regiment 473)

Date of birth:
April 29th, 1899 (Butschkowa/Posen, Germany)
Date of death:
November 7th, 1977 (Bad Ems/Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Promotions:
12.10.1917: Kraftfahrer;
x?: Füsilier;
09.08.1921: Polizei- Unterwachtmeister;
08.11.1923: Polizei-Wachtmeister;
29.12.1925: Polizei-Oberwachtmeister;
01.04.1928: Polizei-Leutnant;
01.04.1930: Polizei-Oberleutnant;
01.07.1935: Polizei-Hauptmann;
16.03.1936: Hauptmann mit RDA vom 1-11-1934 (36a);
01.06.1940: Major (93);
20.04.1942: Oberstleutnant mit RDA vom 1-3-1942 (371a);
21.01.1943: Oberst mit RDA vom 1-12-1942 (47);
01.03.1945: Generalmajor.

Career:
26.08.1939: Kdr. III./Inf.Rgt. 473;
23.02.1942: Kdr. Inf.Rgt. 473 (bis 30.05. mFb);
14.03.1943: Führer-Reserve OKH;
01.04.1943: Kdr.Lehrstabes 4 an der Infanterieschule;
01.12.1943: Führer-Reserve OKH;
01.02.1944: Kdr. Gren,Rgt. 290;
01.05.1944: Führer-Reserve OKH;
07.07.1944: Kdr. Gren,Rgt. 1037;
27.09.1944: Führer-Reserve OKH;
19.10.1944: kdt.z. 15. Div.Fhr.Lehrg. (bis 15.11.);
18.12.1944: Kdr. 254. Inf.Div. (bis 01.03.1945 mFb).

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
November 20th, 1934
Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 2nd, 1936

IV. und III. Klasse.
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
May 23rd, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
June 11th, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Unit:
Kommandeur, III. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 473, 253. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
August 19th, 1941
Received for action in Lithuania on 22-25 June 1941.

According to other source the awarding date is 13-9-1941.
Ehrenblattspange des Heeres und Waffen-SS
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 13th, 1941
Anerkennungsurkunde des Oberbefehlshabers des Heeres
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 13th, 1941
Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Unit:
Kommandeur, III. Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment 473, 253. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
December 1st, 1941

According to other source the awarding date is 2-12-1941.
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
July 15th, 1942
Medaille
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-colonel)
Unit:
Kommandeur, Infanterie-Reigment 473, 253. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
November 6th, 1942
The following newspaper excerpt (dated 16.11.1942) describes why Schmidt received the Knight’s Cross…

“Oberstleutnant Schmidt defeated a Bolshevik breakthrough attempt that took place near Rzhev during the middle of September.”
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 20th, 1943
Nahkampfspange in Bronze
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
January 20th, 1944
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Gold

Sources

Photo