SCHMITT Erich Obergefreiter Schmitt, Erich *May 16th, 1920 (Weiher-Mörlenbach/Hesse, Germany) +March 29th, 2002 (Viernheim/Baden-Württemberg, Germany) Knights Cross: October 8th, 1943 As: Obergefreiter Gruppenführer III. / Grenadier-Regiment 118 On the 12.07.1943 the Soviets began launching major attacks on the Orel salient, including the sector of the 36. Infanterie-DIvision. Here the Obergefreiten Ernst David and Erich Schmitt were instructed to hold outposts in a resistance line about 1.5 km in front of Hill 250.6. After a heavy Soviet armoured attack these men were faced with multiple waves of attacking Soviet infantry. They fought for their lives, firing away with their MG-42s with all they had and inflicting heavy losses on the attackers. Ultimately they were able to hold the line long enough for Grenadier-Regiment 118 to take up new defensive positions. For their bravery on this day both men would receive the Knight’s Cross. Postwar photo measuring 4” x 6” Price: $15.00 Please contact us before ordering to confirm availability and shipping costs. Buy now with your credit card other ways to buy