August Schmidt (1 February 1883 – 23 November 1955) was a highly decorated

General der Flakartillerie ''General der Flakartillerie'' (en: ''General of anti-aircraft artillery'') was a General of the branch rank of the Luftwaffe (en: German Air Force) in Nazi Germany. Until the end of World War II in 1945, this particular general officer rank was ...

in the

Luftwaffe The ''Luftwaffe'' () was the aerial-warfare branch of the German ''Wehrmacht'' before and during World War II. Germany's military air arms during World War I, the ''Luftstreitkräfte'' of the Imperial Army and the '' Marine-Fliegerabtei ...

during

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

. He was also a recipient of the

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (german: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes), or simply the Knight's Cross (), and its variants, were the highest awards in the military and paramilitary forces of Nazi Germany during World War II. The Knight' ...

. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. August Schmidt was captured by British troops on 8 May 1945. In October 1947 he was sentenced to life imprisonment because of war crimes committed against captured British airman. His sentence was later reduced to ten years, and in 1950 he was released due to health reasons.

Awards and decorations

Iron Cross The Iron Cross (german: link=no, Eisernes Kreuz, , abbreviated EK) was a military decoration in the Kingdom of Prussia, and later in the German Empire (1871–1918) and Nazi Germany (1933–1945). King Frederick William III of Prussia est ...

(1914) ** 2nd Class (17 September 1914) ** 1st Class (14 March 1917) *

Wound Badge The Wound Badge (german: Verwundetenabzeichen) was a German military decoration first promulgated by Wilhelm II, German Emperor on 3 March 1918, which was first awarded to soldiers of the German Army who were wounded during World War I. Between th ...

(1914) ** in Black * Knight's Cross of the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern with Swords (12 April 1917) * Knight's Cross Second Class of the Order of the Zähringer Lion with Swords (8 September 1917) *

Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 The Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 (german: Das Ehrenkreuz des Weltkrieges 1914/1918), commonly, but incorrectly, known as the Hindenburg Cross or the German WWI Service Cross was established by Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg, Presiden ...

(1 November 1935) *

(1939) ** 2nd Class (1 October 1939) ** 1st Class (21 May 1940) *

German Cross The War Order of the German Cross (german: Der Kriegsorden Deutsches Kreuz), normally abbreviated to the German Cross or ''Deutsches Kreuz'', was instituted by Adolf Hitler on 28 September 1941. It was awarded in two divisions: in gold for repe ...

in Gold (6 March 1944) *

on 13 February 1945 as ''

'' and commander of Luftgau VIFellgiebel 2000, p. 309. * Order of the Cross of Liberty 1st Class with Swords (23 August 1942)

References

Citations

Bibliography

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External links

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August Schmidt @ Lexikon der Wehrmacht
{{DEFAULTSORT:Schmidt, August 1883 births 1955 deaths People from Hildesheim People from the Province of Hanover German Army personnel of World War I Luftwaffe World War II generals Recipients of the Gold German Cross Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Recipients of the Order of the Cross of Liberty, 1st Class German prisoners of war in World War II held by the United Kingdom Prussian Army personnel Prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment by the British military Recipients of the clasp to the Iron Cross, 1st class Generals of Anti-aircraft Artillery Luftwaffe personnel convicted of war crimes Military personnel from Lower Saxony