Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leutnant der Reserve (2nd Lieutenant of Reserves)

Unit:

Zugführer 3./Pionier-Bataillon 389

Awarded on:

July 31st, 1942

On the 24.06.1942 the 389. Infanterie-Division had the order to expand the bridgehead over the Neshegoli river (north of Reshewka) in order to secure a better jumping off area for Operation Blue. During the course of the attack the Germans encountered a number of Soviet tanks. Leutnant Schirmer took up the fight, and as the first tank approached he assaulted it and stuck a grenade up its gun barrel. The detonation managed to disable the tank, thus permitting its eventual destruction through the placement of a concentrated charge. A half hour later Schirmer did the exact same thing to two more tanks, destroying both them and their crews. For managing to destroy three tanks in close combat with very meagre weapons in such a short time, Schirmer would receive the Knight’s Cross.