Wilhelm Schmalz

Wilhelm Schmalz (1 March 1901 – 14 March 1983) was a highly decorated Generalleutnant in the Wehrmacht during World War II, and one of only 882 recipients 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. Wilhelm Schmalz was captured by American troops in May 1945, he was accused of war crimes in Italy, but after 5 years the charges were dropped.

Awards and decorations

• Iron Cross (1939)
  • 2nd Class (14 September 1939)
  • 1st Class (16 October 1939)
• Eastern Front Medal
• Ground Assault Badge of the Luftwaffe
• German Cross in Gold (8 February 1942)
• Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
  • Knight's Cross on 28 November 1940 as Major and commander of I./Kavallerie-Schützen-Regiment 11
  • 358th Oak Leaves on 23 December 1943 as Oberst and commander of Panzerbrigade z.b.V. der Panzer-Division "Hermann Göring"