Karl Smidt | |
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Nickname | Karolus |
Born | 30 August 1903 Neuenhaus |
Died | 11 January 1984 Rendsburg |
(aged 80)
Allegiance | Weimar Republic (to 1945) Nazi Germany (to 1945) West Germany |
Service/branch | Reichsmarine Kriegsmarine German Federal Navy |
Years of service | 1922–1945, 1956–1963 |
Rank | Kapitän zur See (Kriegsmarine) Konteradmiral (Bundesmarine) |
Unit | SSS Niobe Hannover Berlin cruiser Karlsruhe Panzerschiff Deutschland |
Commands held | torpedo boat Jaguar destroyer Z12 Erich Giese destroyer Z27 |
Battles/wars | |
Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
Other work | German Mine Sweeping Administration |
(Alfred-)Karl Ernst Smidt[Note 1] (30 August 1903 – 11 January 1984[Note 2]) was a Kapitän zur See with the Kriegsmarine during World War II and later a Konteradmiral with the Bundesmarine. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Smidt was a member of the Confessing Church.
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Smidt was born in Neuenhaus, district of Grafschaft Bentheim, in the Province of Hanover on 30 August 1903, the son of pastor Reinhard Petrus Wolbertus Smidt. He began his naval career with the Reichsmarine on 31 March 1922 as a member "Crew 1922" (the incoming class of 1922) after graduation from the humanistische Gymnasium (humanities-oriented secondary school) in Hameln with his Abitur (diploma). Smidt married Ruth Kühl in 1930. The marriage produced two daughters and a son, Antje, Wolbert K., former director of the Federal Intelligence Service (Bundesnachrichtendienst) and Hilke. Smidt joined the Confessing Church (Bekennende Kirche) with pastor Hermann Steen in Holthusen, district of Weener, after making an official visit to the Emsland-concentration camp Esterwegen near Papenburg in 1935.[3]
Military offices | ||
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Preceded by Konteradmiral Rolf Johannesson |
Commander-in-Chief German Fleet (CINCGERFLEET) 1961 – 1963 |
Succeeded by Vizeadmiral Heinrich Gerlach |
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