Editing Lourens Schroeter (father) (section)

== First World War ==

When the [[First World War]] began in 1914, Schroeter returned to Germany and volunteered for military service. He entered the replacement organisation of the [[5. Rheinisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 65]] in Cologne before joining the regiment in France. His technical training and previous responsibility as a ship's chief engineer contributed to his selection as an officer candidate. He became a Leutnant der Reserve in March 1915.

During 1915, the regiment fought in Champagne and around Saint-Mihiel before moving through Artois to the Aisne. Heavy officer losses during 1916 repeatedly left Schroeter in temporary command of larger groups of soldiers. By the second half of the year he was regularly acting as a company commander during the fighting on the Somme.

Schroeter received permanent command of a company in May 1917 after its previous commander became a casualty during the fighting around Arras. He was known for swearing frequently at soldiers, non-commissioned officers and other officers. His manner caused arguments but did not prevent him from remaining in command.

During fighting in Flanders later that year, German artillery shelled a cemetery near his sector. Schroeter confronted officers over the bombardment and called the expenditure of ammunition on the cemetery a "waste of bones". His objection concerned the use of shells on a target he regarded as militarily useless. He was not formally disciplined over the confrontation.

Schroeter was promoted to Oberleutnant der Reserve late in 1917. He remained a company commander during the German spring offensive of 1918. His company suffered heavy losses, after which he rebuilt it with replacements and surviving personnel.

In August 1918, Schroeter was struck by shell fragments on the side of his face and scalp. The wound did not penetrate his skull. He later returned to Infanterie-Regiment 65 and was still serving with the regiment before the armistice.