The 44 Non-Soviet Heroes Of The Soviet Union.

[Taz]

Soviet partisan, Fritz Schmenkel, Germany (GDR), 6/10/1964, #?
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Fritz Schmenkel
* 14.02.1916
† 22.02.1944

Fritz Hans Werner Schmenkel was born on 14 Feb 1916 in Worsaw, a small village near Stettin.
Son of Paul Krause, a brickyard Worker and cleaner Elsa Schmenkel.
He grew up with his Grandmother ( Mothers side).
His father was shot by the SA in 1932 and he became the bread winner of the family.
In 1936/37 he served in the RAD until his call up to the Wehrmacht in 1938.
His HSU was postum. The HSU was given to his widow Erna Schmenkel at an Award ceremony in Berlin.
Schools, Firms and Public buildings have all been named after this Anti-Faschist soviet Partisan.
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Fritz Schmenkel, a German Anti-fascist, was called up for duty in the German Army (Wehrmacht) in 1938.
In 1940 he was Court-martialed and sentenced to 8 months prison.
In November 1941 Corpral Schmenkel deserted from his unit the 1st Artillerie Regiment, 186th Infantry Division, 4th Army Group (Central) stationed in Wjasma to the Sowiet Partisans.
He joined the White Russian Task force and was a member of the unit " Death to Fascism" ( Chief of Staff, Pjotr Filippow).
In the area of Smolensk he fought against the soldiers of Hitler-Germany.
He was captured by the Germans whilst trying to Parachute behind the enemy lines in the Winter of 1943/44.
On the 15. February 1944 in Minsk he was Court-martialed and sentenced to Death. He was executed by firing squad on 22.02.1944.
Fritz Schmenkel was awarded the "Hero of the Soviet Union" postumously on 06. Oktober 1964.