Ernst Schreder (21 June 1892–6 December 1941) was a

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) ** Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ge ...

general during the

Second World War 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 ...

Biography

Ernst Schreder was born on 21 June 1892 in

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, Alsace-Lorraine. He fought during the

First World War World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

. After the war, he pursued a career in the

Police The police are a constituted body of persons empowered by a state, with the aim to enforce the law, to ensure the safety, health and possessions of citizens, and to prevent crime and civil disorder. Their lawful powers include arrest and t ...

. He later joined the Heer, the army of the

Wehrmacht The ''Wehrmacht'' (, ) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the ''Heer'' (army), the ''Kriegsmarine'' (navy) and the ''Luftwaffe'' (air force). The designation "''Wehrmacht''" replaced the previous ...

. During the

, Ernst Schreder served as an officer in many military assignments, and participated in significant military operations on both the

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and

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fronts. He eventually obtained the rank of

Generalmajor is the Germanic variant of major general, used in a number of Central and Northern European countries. Austria Belgium Denmark is the second lowest general officer rank in the Royal Danish Army and Royal Danish Air Force. As a two-star ...

on 1 December 1941. Schreder's career
/ref> Schreder was seriously wounded on the Eastern Front in October 1941, and later succumbed to his injuries in

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(''Kaliningrad'') on 6 December 1941. On December 19, 1941, he was posthumously decorated with the

German Cross in Gold 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 recognition for the actions he took and the sacrifices he made to fight with his troops. The German Cross was issued in two degrees: gold and silver, the former being an award for bravery, the latter being for distinguished service and was considered a continuation of the

War Merit Cross The War Merit Cross (german: Kriegsverdienstkreuz) was a state decoration of Nazi Germany during World War II. By the end of the conflict it was issued in four degrees and had an equivalent civil award. A " de-Nazified" version of the War Merit ...

with swords.

Decorations

Deutsches Kreuz 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, on 19 December 1941

References

Sources

* Die Generale des Heeres 1921–1945. 1892 births 1941 deaths German Army personnel of World War I Military personnel from Metz Major generals of the German Army (Wehrmacht) People from Alsace-Lorraine German police officers Prussian Army personnel Recipients of the Gold German Cross German military personnel killed in World War II {{Germany-army-bio-stub