Schäfer, Heinrich

Date of birth:: April 27th, 1914 (Eberbach, Germany)
Date of death:: December 7th, 1963 (Aldingen/Tuttlingen, Germany)
Nationality:: German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

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Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Erdkampfabzeichen der Luftwaffe

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Luftwaffe Ehrenpokale für besondere Leistungen im Luftkrieg

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberfeldwebel (Flight Sergeant)
Awarded on:: March 6th, 1944

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberfeldwebel (Flight Sergeant)
Unit:: Zugführer 4./JägRgt "Hermann Göring"
Awarded on:: August 8th, 1944

Heinrich Schäfer received the Knight's Cross for his defensive success in the closing stages of the North African Campaign. Schäfer and his Zug were charged with defending an important area of high ground dubbed "Cactus Farm". The first major Allied attack on this position came on the 29.04.1943, and was repulsed. The Allies launched multiple attacks the next day with air support, but with the help of supporting artillery fire Schäfer's men repulsed the attack, destroying many tanks with explosives and hollow charges in the process. Following additional attacks the next day, all of which were repulsed, Schäfer's Zug withdrew along with the rest of the Bataillon. Prior to departure the Germans counted 37 knocked-out Allied tanks surrounding their positions. Schäfer was recommended for and awarded the Knight's Cross for this action, but only received the award in a US POW camp on 8 August 1944 through the Red Cross.