Knights Cross Holder Biography
Richard Remi Schrijnen | |
| Rank | Sturmmann |
| Awarded | 9/21/1944 |
| Branch | SS |
| As | Richtschütze |
| with/of/in | 3 zug (pzjaeger) in der 6./ SS-Sturm (freiw) Brigade Langemarck 6. SS-Freiwilligen-Sturmbrigade |
| Oakleaves | |
| Swords | |
| Diamonds | |
| Details | Remi Schrijnen was a Flemish volunteer in the German Wehrmacht,
specifically in the Waffen-SS. He was born in Kumtich in Flanders,
Belgium on 24 December 1921. Remi Schrijnen served as a Kompanie Melder (company runner) when he was 21 in the SS-Freiwilligen Legion Flandern in 1942. Going into action for the first time at the end of May 1943, Schrijnen served in the northern sector of the Russian Front near Leningrad. Later that month the Legion Flandern was reformed as the SS-Sturmbrigade Langemarck, and Schrijnen became a gunner in the 6./Panzerjäger-Kompanie, where he served on a powerful high-velocity 75mm PAK (anti-tank gun). At the end of 1943, the brigade was on the southern sector of the front around Kiev. On 31 December Schrijnen knocked out three T-34 tanks during a powerful Russian massed infantry attack with amored support. Schrijnen had shown himself to be a proficient and dependable soldier who could keep his head in critical situations. He had been wounded in action seven times in little more than a year, indicating the ferocity of the combat in which he had taken part. SS-Sturmmann Schrijnen, however, was to show himself not just as a proficient soldier but as a man of exceptional personal gallantry during an action in June 1944. He was one of the soldiers in Kampfgruppe "Rehmann" that was serving on the northern sector of the front near Narwa. A massive artillery barrage had battered the German positions - a distinct forerunner to a powerful attack on the Kampfgruppe's positions (the Tannenberg-Stellung). The Russians hardly needed to bother with tactical maneuvering at this point and could literally overrun the German positions with sheer weight of numbers. No matter how many soldiers were killed, others would take their place until the enemy was overwhelmed. Sure enough, massed Russian infantry was soon approaching the German lines, with powerful armored support. Schrijnen calmly waited at his 75mm cannon until the enemy tanks were well within range, then opened fire. Within a few minutes four T-34 tanks were in flames, with two others disabled. The battle raged on, but eventually, numerical superiority began to wear down the Kampfgruppe. Initially 400 strong, as the days dragged by the numbers were whittled down until only three officers and 35 men were still alive. Schrijnen's gun crew had put up a determined defense, knocking out many enemy tanks, but his crew were eventually all killed or wounded; only Schrijnen remained. The order was given to pull back and the remaining Grenadiers slowly withdrew to the rear. Schrijnen, however, was made of sterner stuff! He had heard the order to withdraw but refused. He remained alone, loading, aiming and firing his 75mm anti-tank gun. Realizing the Germans were pulling back, the Russians launched yet another massed infantry attack. Schrijnen would have little chance of survival against this attack. Watching the scene, however, was a radio operator who had been mortally wounded and left behind when the remnant of the Kampfgruppe withdrew. Knowing he was dying, and with nothing to lose, he called down German artillery fire on his own positions. Russian infantry drew nearer and Schrijnen could see with them some 30 tanks - some of which were of the new heavy Jozef Stalin type, the remainder being T-34s. He immediately opened fire and in the dramatic battle which ensued destroyed three Stalin tanks and four T-34s. Finally, one of the remaining Stalin tanks, from a range of just 30 meters scored a direct hit on Remi's gun. Schrijnen was flung back like a rag doll and severely wounded. Around him lay scattered the burning wreckage of a dozen enemy tanks, knocked out by Schrijnen during this ferocious battle. The severely wounded gunner was later found by his own troops after a successful German armored counter-attack that had thrown back the enemy. He was immediately recommended for the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for his extreme heroism. His Knight's Cross was approved in due course and after he had recovered from his wounds, Schrijnen was decorated with the Knight's Cross in front of the entire Brigade, the medal being hung around his neck by the brigade commander, SS-Obersturmbannführer Conrad Schellong. Schrijnen also received the Verwundeten Abzeichen im Gold (Wound Badge in Gold) and was promoted to SS-Unterscharführer.  Remi Schrijnen is now retired and lives in Hagen. |