Erich Schroedter

Erich Schroedter (1 May 1919 – 7 December 1994) was a German soldier born in Munich on 1 May 1919. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Military career
Schroedter commenced training as an Officer Cadet in the Kradschützen Bataillon of the 3. Panzer-Division in Bad Freienwalde and attended the Kriegsschule in Hannover during 1938 and 1939. August 1939 saw Schroedter commissioned as a Leutnant and platoon commander in the Kradschützen Bataillon of the 8 Schnelle (Fast) Division. He served in this capacity during the Polish Campaign, winning the Iron Cross Second Class on 5 October 1939. During the French Campaign, he served as Divisional Ordnance Officer, winning the Iron Cross First Class on 7 July 1940. Schroedter then saw action during the Invasion of Yugoslavia as Adjutant in the Kradschützen Bataillon of 8. Panzer Division. In this period he qualified for the Panzer Assault Badge in Bronze.

Taking part in the Invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, Schroedter saw intense action and was twice severely wounded, requiring long periods of hospitalisation. In October 1941, he was promoted to Oberleutnant.

In May 1942, Schroedter was posted as Squadron Commander to the Panzer Aufklärungs Abteilung Großdeutschland and was quickly back in the thick of the fighting. He again suffered severe wounds and was awarded the Wound Badge in Gold on 8 June 1944. The following month he was awarded the German Cross in Gold. During August 1944, Hauptmann Schrodter attended a training course for Battalion Commanders of Armoured Reconnaissance units and on 22 September he was appointed Commander of Panzer Aufklärungsabteilung Großdeutschland.

During the Soviet Offensive in Courland, Schroedter and his Panzer Aufklärungsabteilung were at the spearhead of a German counter-attack aimed at holding Soviet Forces and freeing encircled German Forces North-West of Memel. Schroedter's unit acquitted itself very well, allowing the German units to escape and causing heavy Soviet losses. For this he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 23 October 1944 and on 30 January 1945, was promoted to Major.

In Mid-February, 1945, Soviet Forces were attempting to crush the German units around Königsberg, while units of the 2nd Belorussian Front had swept north, taking Elbing and cutting off German access to the west. The Soviets launched furious attacks on the encircled Germans. Almost impossible demands of the German soldier were made in those hectic days. Schroedter's Abteilung was no different; time and time again it launched itself at overwhelming Soviet forces and caused them heavy losses. During one ferocious engagement, Schroedter was responsible for destroying ten Soviet tanks. For his distinguished service during this phase of the battle, he was awarded the 808th Knight's Cross with Oakleaves on 28 March 1945.

Awards

 * German Cross in Gold (26 July 1944)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
 * Knight's Cross on 23 October 1944 as Rittmeister and commander of the Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung "Großdeutschland"
 * 808th Oak Leaves on 28 March 1945 as Rittmeister and commander of the Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung "Großdeutschland"