Arthur Schmidt (soldier)
| Arthur Schmidt | |
|---|---|
Arthur Schmidt
|
|
| Born |
25 October 1895 Hamburg |
| Died | 5 November 1987 (aged 92) Karlsruhe |
| Allegiance |
 German Empire (to 1918) Weimar Republic (to 1933) Nazi Germany (to 1943) |
| Years of service | 1914–43 |
| Rank | Generalleutnant |
| Battles/wars |
|
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Arthur Schmidt (25 October 1895 – 5 November 1987) was an officer in the German military from 1914 to 1943. He attained the rank of Generalleutnant during World War II, and is best known for his role as the Sixth Army's chief of staff in the Battle of Stalingrad in 1942–43, during the final stages of which he became its de facto commander, playing a large role in executing Hitler's order that it stand firm despite being encircled by the Red Army. He was a prisoner of war in the Soviet Union for twelve years, and was released following West German chancellor Konrad Adenauer's visit to Moscow in 1955.
Schmidt joined the army as a one-year volunteer on 10 August 1914, attaining the rank of Leutnant on 8 May 1915.
Schmidt held various positions in the Heer, including chief of operations in Fifth Army (25.08.39–12.10.39) and Eighteenth Army (05.11.39–01.10.40). On 25 October 1940 he served as chief of staff in 5th Army Corps, a position he held until 25 March 1942, when he moved to the Führerreserve at Oberkommando des Heeres (OKH). On 26 January 1942 he was awarded the German Cross in Gold.
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