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Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid dies on last day of Afghanistan tour

Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid

A senior British explosives expert was killed while trying to defuse a bomb on the last day of his tour in Afghanistan, it was revealed today.

Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid, 30, of the Royal Logistic Corps, died near Sangin in central Helmand Province on Saturday.

He lived in Winchester with his wife, Christina Schmid, who described him as her ''best friend and soulmate'' and said she took comfort knowing he had saved ''countless lives''.

He also leaves a five-year-old stepson, Laird.

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Sgt Schmid, who was known as Oz, made 64 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) safe during his five months in Afghanistan as an ammunition technician.

As well as taking part in Operation Panther's Claw, a major assault on a Taliban stronghold, he found 31 IEDs during a single operation to clear a road near Sangin in August.

One of his senior officers described him as a ''legendary figure'' while another said he was ''better than the best of the best''.

Lieutenant Colonel Rob Thomson, commanding officer of 2 Rifles Battle Group, which was based around Sangin this summer, said: ''Sgt Oz Schmid was simply the bravest and most courageous man I have ever met.

''Under relentless IED and small arms attacks he stood taller than the tallest.''

He added: ''He saved lives in 2 Rifles time after time and for that he will retain a very special place in every heart of every rifleman in our extraordinary battle group. Superlatives do not do the man justice.''

Paying emotional tribute, Sgt Schmid's wife said: ''Oz was a phenomenal husband and loving father who was cruelly murdered on his last day of a relentless five-month tour.

''He was my best friend and soulmate. The pain of losing him is overwhelming. I take comfort knowing he saved countless lives with his hard work. I am so proud of him.''

Sgt Schmid was born in Truro, Cornwall, and lived with his wife and five-year-old stepson Laird in Winchester.

Comments(17)

My View from the Hill says...
2:17pm Mon 2 Nov 09

R.I.P

A truly brave man, with one of the most dangerous on the planet, I never knew him, but knew many who have done the same job, without these hero's many would have died

Brite Spark says...
2:36pm Mon 2 Nov 09

Tragic,
Given his line of work this guy will have undoubtedly saved many of his colleagues from very serious injury or worse, extremely brave and very sad.

hulla baloo says...
2:43pm Mon 2 Nov 09

Yet another life lost needlessly on a manufactured situation based on lies and spin by the pathetic government.

Condolences to all.

News Fanatic says...
4:05pm Mon 2 Nov 09

@ hulla baloo

Besides the menace of international terrorism rooted in Afghanistan, the country is also a major source of heroin. Addicts may be responsible for burgling your home in order to raise the money to get their next fix. Should we do nothing and let the terrorists and drug pushers win? I don't think so.

Nod says...
4:46pm Mon 2 Nov 09

News Fanatic wrote:
@ hulla baloo

Besides the menace of international terrorism rooted in Afghanistan, the country is also a major source of heroin. Addicts may be responsible for burgling your home in order to raise the money to get their next fix. Should we do nothing and let the terrorists and drug pushers win? I don't think so.
Well Said

Miles Way says...
5:17pm Mon 2 Nov 09

Nod wrote:
News Fanatic wrote:
@ hulla baloo

Besides the menace of international terrorism rooted in Afghanistan, the country is also a major source of heroin. Addicts may be responsible for burgling your home in order to raise the money to get their next fix. Should we do nothing and let the terrorists and drug pushers win? I don't think so.
Well Said
Although I wonder if the money and resources being squandered in 'stan could be used to better effect here in the UK to stem many of the problems we have (drug importing & terrorism) without losing any more soldiers in such an unpopular & un-winable conflict.
S/Sergeant Schmid was obviously a very courageous man and a tragic loss to colleagues and family; to our politician's shame he'll not be the last.
RIP

Brite Spark says...
5:20pm Mon 2 Nov 09

Nod wrote:
News Fanatic wrote:
@ hulla baloo

Besides the menace of international terrorism rooted in Afghanistan, the country is also a major source of heroin. Addicts may be responsible for burgling your home in order to raise the money to get their next fix. Should we do nothing and let the terrorists and drug pushers win? I don't think so.
Well Said
Our forces aren't out there to stop the poppy fields from flourishing, in fact they turn a blind eye to it, so not to alienate the local communities.
The troops are not going to torch the crops and thus encourage the locals to side with the Taleban, who themselves would want the crops to grow in order to finance more weapons if they had control of the farm lands.
Lets not lose sight of what this story is about though, it's about an extraordinarily brave local guy giving his life so that his mates would be safe.

King Mush says...
7:27pm Mon 2 Nov 09

Once again - the loss of an amazing man whose courage cannot really be put into words or perspective. It really makes us think how transparent our own lives are when we read about Olaf and what his daily 'job' was.

The whole fiasco makes us all angry and this debate will carry on whilst our servicemen and women go about their duties.


This conflict is a dead end as we are looking at a 3rd world country ruled by a tribal mentality and as far away from democracy as you can get. The recent 'elections' show the level of intimidation, corruption that is endemic in these parts.

Taliban? A virtually unseen 'army' of fanatics who apparently worship death in the name of their prophet and their Allah. Guerilla warfare has always been difficult to fight when taking palce in hostile terrain from the Vietnamese jungles or in the desert mountains etc.

These cowardly brainwashed thick scum have the use of 'infidel' technology as they sneak around and plant these ieds plus the use of mobile phones, 4 x 4s, computers and all manner of Western produced hardware that has enriched their lives. Hardly the mentality of the Middle Ages that they desparately wish to impose on their long suffering 'brothers' Crazy

Not forgetting the stupid label of 'heroes' applied to thick over-paid, over-rated footy players across the papers. Its a shame that these fit young men couldnt make more of their vacuous lives by using their physical strength and stamina out where its needed. Too busy drinking, coke-sniffing, woman battering,posing,who
ring and leading millionaire lifestyles.

Olaf was worth a billion of these ingrates

EarlyRiser says...
9:09pm Mon 2 Nov 09

King Mush wrote:
Once again - the loss of an amazing man whose courage cannot really be put into words or perspective. It really makes us think how transparent our own lives are when we read about Olaf and what his daily 'job' was. The whole fiasco makes us all angry and this debate will carry on whilst our servicemen and women go about their duties. This conflict is a dead end as we are looking at a 3rd world country ruled by a tribal mentality and as far away from democracy as you can get. The recent 'elections' show the level of intimidation, corruption that is endemic in these parts. Taliban? A virtually unseen 'army' of fanatics who apparently worship death in the name of their prophet and their Allah. Guerilla warfare has always been difficult to fight when taking palce in hostile terrain from the Vietnamese jungles or in the desert mountains etc. These cowardly brainwashed thick scum have the use of 'infidel' technology as they sneak around and plant these ieds plus the use of mobile phones, 4 x 4s, computers and all manner of Western produced hardware that has enriched their lives. Hardly the mentality of the Middle Ages that they desparately wish to impose on their long suffering 'brothers' Crazy Not forgetting the stupid label of 'heroes' applied to thick over-paid, over-rated footy players across the papers. Its a shame that these fit young men couldnt make more of their vacuous lives by using their physical strength and stamina out where its needed. Too busy drinking, coke-sniffing, woman battering,posing,who ring and leading millionaire lifestyles. Olaf was worth a billion of these ingrates
Do you fancy being PM ? You've got my vote !!

enter the above word in the box below....
army-lazy

do me a favour echo

normsted says...
9:20pm Mon 2 Nov 09

Another hero lost, RIP, condolences to all his family.

B. L. says...
10:43pm Mon 2 Nov 09

King Mush wrote:
Once again - the loss of an amazing man whose courage cannot really be put into words or perspective. It really makes us think how transparent our own lives are when we read about Olaf and what his daily 'job' was.

The whole fiasco makes us all angry and this debate will carry on whilst our servicemen and women go about their duties.


This conflict is a dead end as we are looking at a 3rd world country ruled by a tribal mentality and as far away from democracy as you can get. The recent 'elections' show the level of intimidation, corruption that is endemic in these parts.

Taliban? A virtually unseen 'army' of fanatics who apparently worship death in the name of their prophet and their Allah. Guerilla warfare has always been difficult to fight when taking palce in hostile terrain from the Vietnamese jungles or in the desert mountains etc.

These cowardly brainwashed thick scum have the use of 'infidel' technology as they sneak around and plant these ieds plus the use of mobile phones, 4 x 4s, computers and all manner of Western produced hardware that has enriched their lives. Hardly the mentality of the Middle Ages that they desparately wish to impose on their long suffering 'brothers' Crazy

Not forgetting the stupid label of 'heroes' applied to thick over-paid, over-rated footy players across the papers. Its a shame that these fit young men couldnt make more of their vacuous lives by using their physical strength and stamina out where its needed. Too busy drinking, coke-sniffing, woman battering,posing,who

ring and leading millionaire lifestyles.

Olaf was worth a billion of these ingrates
Excellent post KM, you just summed up what decent people think.
My View from the Hill, your post says it for me also.
R.I.P. Hero.

crumps says...
10:46pm Mon 2 Nov 09

Always sad to see the passing of more of our men and women. Makes this weekend even more important to remember those who have given their lives.
I find it a real shame that organisations like the Tyro football league dont show more respect to the armed forces and stop scheduling youth football games for rememberance day mornings. people have complained for years but they still continue and then run a campaign to respect the refs! but not our service men and woman, shame on you all. our children and thier parents should attend the local services all over the UK and pay their respect properly. Only when everyone understands the loses can we move forward as a society.

Brite Spark says...
11:07pm Mon 2 Nov 09

good point well made Mr Crumps

hulla baloo says...
8:14am Tue 3 Nov 09

News Fanatic wrote:
@ hulla baloo Besides the menace of international terrorism rooted in Afghanistan, the country is also a major source of heroin. Addicts may be responsible for burgling your home in order to raise the money to get their next fix. Should we do nothing and let the terrorists and drug pushers win? I don't think so.
It was never about the heroin, it was to do with the yanks being concerned about the oil market, and weapons of mass destruction, which did not exist.

Kjane says...
8:22am Tue 3 Nov 09

RIP this is a sad sad story, as someone who has a very close friend in the front line I cannot imagine the hurt and pain his family and fellow soldiers are going through!!! This man was a hero and helped save a lot of peoples lives, they do not get enough respect and praise for what they do.

B. L. says...
3:30pm Tue 3 Nov 09

hulla baloo wrote:
News Fanatic wrote:
@ hulla baloo Besides the menace of international terrorism rooted in Afghanistan, the country is also a major source of heroin. Addicts may be responsible for burgling your home in order to raise the money to get their next fix. Should we do nothing and let the terrorists and drug pushers win? I don't think so.
It was never about the heroin, it was to do with the yanks being concerned about the oil market, and weapons of mass destruction, which did not exist.
Wrong. What oil market and what weapons of mass destruction? Their biggest money maker is opium.
You may have the wrong country methinks but that doesn't alter the fact that the article is about a HERO and not politics.

sfc4lyf says...
4:41pm Tue 3 Nov 09

RIP

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