Career
The Knight"s Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Schniewind entered the Kaiserliche Marine in 1907 as a cadet. During the First World War he served as a commander of torpedoboats.
When the German fleet surrendered to the British he commanded a squadron of torpedo boats, with this he partook in the Scuttling of the German fleet in Scapa Flow, after which he was taken prisoner by the British.
After being released Schniewind continued to serve in the Reichsmarine. From 1925 to 1926 he served as adjutant to the Minister of War Otto Gessler.
In 1932 Schniewind became captain of the light cruiser Kölane In 1934 Schniewind was appointed to another staff function.
He was promoted to rear admiral in 1937 and to vice admiral in 1940.
After the sinking of the Bismarck Schniewind was appointed as successor to Günther Lütjens who was lost with the ship. In 1943 Schniewind became commander of Marinegruppenkommandos Nord. On March 1, 1944 Schniewind was promoted to Generaladmiral.
On July 30, 1944 Schniewind was relieved of command and for the duration of the war he saw no further employment.
After the War he was arrested and prosecuted during the High Command Trial for his role in the invasion of Norway (Operation Weserübung) but he was acquitted, after which he was released from captivity. From 1949 to 1952 he served with the Naval Historical Team in Bremerhaven.
Order of the Sword, Commander (Sweden) (30 June 1936) Sava (1 June 1939) (Yugoslavia) Bibliography.
