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Schneider, Dipl.-Ing., Erich (14. Inf.Div.)

Date of birth:
August 12th, 1894 (Biedenkopf/Hesse, Germany)
Date of death:
August 3rd, 1980 (Wiesbaden/Hesse, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Promotions:
July 14th, 1915: Leutnant;
September 1st, 1923: Oberleutnant
April 1st, 1928: Hauptmann
November 1st, 1934: Major
August 1st, 1937: Oberstleutnant
January 1st, 1940: Oberst;
January 1st, 1943: Generalmajor;
July 1st, 1943: Generalleutnant.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
June 24th, 1941

Already received the Iron Cross 2nd Class on September 22nd, 1915.
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
July 16th, 1941

Had already received the Iron Cross 1st Class on October 26th, 1916.
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 1er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Generalmajor (Brigadier)
Unit:
Kommandeur, 4. Panzer-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
May 5th, 1943
Awarded for his leadership of the 4. Panzer-Division during the following actions…

1) Encircling and crushing strong Soviet forces despite the threat posed by both of his open flanks. In doing so he also closed a gap in the frontline southwest of Orel.

2) Closing another gap in the frontline, created in February 1943, between the 2. and 2. Panzer-Armeen. He and his division did this via an attack from Novgorod Serverskiy towards Ssevsk in the time period 08-27.03.1943.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Generalleutnant (Major-general)
Unit:
Kommandeur, 14. Infanterie-Division, Heer
Awarded on:
March 6th, 1945
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
Awarded for his successful command of the 14. Infanterie-Division during the five-day long battle west, NW and NE of Ostrolenka, which saw repeated Soviet onslaughts defeated with the result that the attempted hpsto;e breakthrough could be prevented. Vital for the German success here was the leadership of Schneider himself. In every difficult moment he was to be found right at the front despite heavy Soviet fire, and was thus able to make his decisions based on a clear understanding of the situation as well as provide an inspiring example to his troops.

768th Award.

Sources

Photo