Walter Schmidt joined the SS in 1935 (SS-Nr. 311 100) and was posted to the III. Battalion, SS Standarte Germania. He was later selected to become an officer, attending the SS-Junkerschule at Bad Tölz. Upon graduation he was promoted to Untersturmführer (Second Lieutenant).[2] He returned to the Germania as a platoon commander in the 4th Company, in time for the Polish Campaign. After that campaign he was given command of the Panzerspähzuges (Armoured car platoon) in the SS-VT Division, serving with them over the Battle of France.[2]
Schmidt was awarded the Knight's Cross for his battalion's successful defense in the Izium sector. He then led his battalion out of the Cherkassy pocket, for which he was promoted to Hauptsturmführer (Captain) and was awarded the Oak leaves to his Knight's Cross.[1][2][3]
In March 1945, he was given command of the 96th SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment,[4] the 38th SS Division Nibelungen, which was formed from instructors and students from the SS Junkerschule. The regiment surrendered to the American forces on the 8 May 1945.[1][2][5]
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