Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Feldwebel (Staff Sergeant)

Unit:

Gruppenführer, Radfahrkompanie, Grenadier-Regiment 192, 56. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

June 29th, 1943

Early on the 11.06.1943 the Germans planned to launch a patrol from the Wjashi salient (located near Orel). However the Soviets acted first, launching a major attack that was intended to find and exploit the weak points in the German frontline. The Germans launched a counterattack with some local reserves but these took heavy losses, including the commanding officers present. In this situation Feldwebel Schneidermann took charge of the nearby German forces and directed the defense. The Soviets launched an advance with armour that initially could not be stopped, however Schneidermann created a defensive line that was buttressed by the artillery of the 2./Artillerie-Regiment 156. This new defensive line managed to halt the Soviet attack.

Schneidermann would receive the Knight’s Cross for taking charge here on his own initiative and achieving a defensive victory.