• Operation Dryad (1942)

Date of birth:

January 8th, 1891 (Berlin/Brandenburg, Germany)

Date of death:

June 28th, 1970 (Bad Wildungen/Hesse, Germany)

Nationality:

German

He was born in Berlin on 24 June 1881 into a noble family with a long military tradition. Entering the Prussian Army in 1900 as a cadet, he advanced steadily through the ranks. During the First World War he served on both the Eastern and Western Fronts, gaining experience in staff and field roles and reaching the rank of major by the end of the conflict. In the interwar years he remained in the Reichswehr, holding a variety of regimental and staff appointments that prepared him for higher command once the Wehrmacht was established.

By the outbreak of the Second World War, Schmettow had risen to senior command positions. In 1940, after the German occupation of the Channel Islands, he was appointed to oversee their defense. In 1942 he formally became the overall commander of the islands, succeeding Generalleutnant Dietrich von Boetticher. From then until 1945 he directed the garrisoning and fortification of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, and Sark, integrating them into the Atlantic Wall system. His tenure was marked by the heavy militarization of the islands, the construction of bunkers and artillery positions, and the use of forced labor through the Organisation Todt.

Schmettow remained in command until May 1945, when the Channel Islands were liberated following Germany’s surrender. He was taken into British captivity and died shortly afterward, on 24 July 1945, in Münster. His career reflects the continuity of the old Prussian officer corps into the Wehrmacht and its role in administering occupied territories during the war.

Promotions:
September 1st, 1909: Fahnenjunker;
May 17th, 1910: Fähnrich;
January 27th, 1911: Leutnant;
April 18th, 1916: Oberleutnant;
December 1st, 1922: Rittmeister;
April 1st, 1933: Major;
November 1st, 1935: Oberstleutnant;
April 1st, 1938: Oberst (RDA -8-);
April 1st, 1942: Generalmajor (RDA -13-);
April 1st, 1944: Generalleutnant (RDA -3-).

Career:
April 6th, 1910 - December 10th, 1910: Kriegsschule Glogau;
July 15th, 1927 - July 30th, 1927: Reiterausbildungslehrgang;
October 9th, 1928 - October 24th, 1928: Kampfschulelehrgang;
November 25th, 1935 - November 30th, 1935: Unterweis für Stabsoffiziere;
June 8th, 1936 - June 13th, 1936: Nachrichtenlehrgang für Kommandeure der Reiterregimenten;
?: Kommandant von Breslau;
September 1st, 1939 - January 8th, 1940: Kommandeur, Infanterie-Regiment 164;
June 15th, 1943 - July 10th, 1943: 5. Divisonsführer Lehrgang;
September 1st, 1943 - February 27th, 1945: Kommandeur 319. Infanterie-Division.

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

• - FORTY, G., Channel Islands at War, 2005.
  - PATZWALL, K. & SCHERZER, V., Das Deutsche Kreuz 1941-1945, Band II, Verlag Klaus D. Patzwall, Norderstedt, 2001.
  - Kennkarte
  

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