Schneider, Adalbert

Date of birth:: March 10th, 1904 (Halle, German Empire)
Date of death:: May 27th, 1941 (Atlantic Ocean, Southwest of Ireland)
Nationality:: German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

Crew of 1922

Promotions:
01.04.1923: Matrosengefreiter (seaman 2nd class)
01.04.1924: Fähnrich zur See (Midshipman)
01.10.1926: Leutnant zur See (Second Lieutenant at sea)
01.07.1928: Oberleutnant zur See (First Lieutenant at sea)
01.10.1934: Kapitänleutnant (Captain Lieutenant)
01.08.1938: Korvettenkapitän (Corvette Captain)
01.05.1941: Fregattenkapitän (Frigate Captain)

Career:
06.1940-08.1940: "BISMARCK"
08.1940-05.1941: 1. A.O.

He was the First Gunnery Officer on board the battleship Bismarck, and was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for the sinking of HMS Hood on 24 May 1941 in the Battle of the Denmark Strait.
Less than a week later, on 27 May 1941, Schneider and the majority of Bismarck's crew were killed in action during Bismarck's last battle at sea im Nordatlantik, Position 48° 10′ N, 16° 12′ W

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Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Korvettenkapitän (Lieutenant Commander)
Unit:: 1. Artillerie-Offizier/Schlachtschiff "Bismarck"
Awarded on:: May 27th, 1941

The following press excerpt (dated 05.06.1941) describes why Schneider would receive his Knight’s Cross…

“The Führer and Supreme Commander of the Wehrmacht has awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross to Korvettenkapitän Schneider, the 1st artillery officer of the battleship “Bismarck”, following the recommendation of Admiral Lütjens. Korvettenkapitän Schneider was awarded the medal via radio telegraph. Through brilliant fire control of the battleship’s heavy artillery, Schneider was able to ensure the destruction of the British battlecruiser “Hood” after only 5 minutes of bombardment. Thereafter he immediately changed target to the British battleship “Prince of Wales” and scored hits, which compelled the enemy force to withdraw.”