Gerhart Schirmer

Who was Gerhart Schirmer?

Gerhart Schrimer was a highly decorated Oberstleutnant in the Fallschirmjäger during World War II and an Oberst in the Bundeswehr. 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. Gerhart Schrimer was captured by British troops in 1945 and then handed over to Soviet troops. He was held until 1956; later that year he joined the Bundeswehr and served until retirement in 1971.