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| death_date = {{Death date and age|1985|2|14|1889|12|15|df=yes}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1985|2|14|1889|12|15|df=yes}}
| death_place = [[Overschie]], [[Rotterdam]], [[Netherlands]]
| death_place = [[Overschie]], [[Rotterdam]], [[Netherlands]]
| occupation = {{hlist|Military officer|Engineer|Automotive manufacturer}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Engineer|Automotive manufacturer}}
| era = {{hlist|[[Pre-Vader Era]]|[[Vader Era]]|[[Middenvader Era]]|[[Vriend Era]]}}
| era = {{hlist|[[Pre-Vader Era]]|[[Vader Era]]|[[Middenvader Era]]|[[Vriend Era]]}}
| known_for = Co-founder of [[Schroeter Romeo]]
| known_for = Co-founder of [[Schroeter Romeo]]
Line 38: Line 38:
}}
}}
  | awards = {{plainlist|
  | awards = {{plainlist|
* [[Iron Cross]], 2nd and 1st Class (1914)
* [[Iron Cross]], 2nd Class (1915)
* [[Iron Cross]], 1st Class (1917)
* [[Wound Badge]] in Black (1918)
* [[Wound Badge]] in Black (1918)
* [[Honour Cross with Swords]] (1934)
* [[Honour Cross with Swords]] (1934)
* [[Wehrmacht Long Service Award]], 4th Class (1936)
* [[Wehrmacht Long Service Award]], 4th Class (1936)
* [[Clasp to the Iron Cross]], 2nd and 1st Class
* [[Clasp to the Iron Cross]], 2nd Class (1940)
* [[War Merit Cross]], 2nd and 1st Class with Swords
* [[Clasp to the Iron Cross]], 1st Class (1940)
* [[War Merit Cross]], 2nd Class with Swords (1942)
* [[War Merit Cross]], 1st Class with Swords (1943)
}}
}}
  }}
  }}
}}
}}


'''Lourens Schroeter''' (15 December 1889 – 14 February 1985) was a German-born Dutch engineer, automotive manufacturer and former German Army officer. He served on the Western Front during the [[First World War]] and later reached the rank of [[General der Infanterie]] in the [[Wehrmacht (Nazi Germany)|Wehrmacht]] during the [[Second World War]]. After leaving military service, he returned to Rotterdam and began assembling road vehicles with his son [[Lourens Schroeter|Lourens "Lau" Schroeter]]. Their workshop developed into [[Schroeter Romeo]], which was formally registered in 1950.<ref name="schroeter-romeo-history"/> He was a member of the [[Schroeter family]], whose older branches had a long history of military and industrial work in Germany and the Netherlands.<ref name="schroeter-family-origins"/>
'''Lourens Schroeter''' (15 December 1889 – 14 February 1985) was an engineer and automotive manufacturer from the [[Schroeter family]]. He served as a German Army officer during both world wars and reached the rank of [[General der Infanterie]] in the [[Wehrmacht (Nazi Germany)|Wehrmacht]]. He joined the [[NSDAP]] in 1932. After leaving military service, he returned to Rotterdam and began assembling road vehicles with his son [[Lourens Schroeter|Lau Schroeter]] in 1945. Their workshop developed into [[Schroeter Romeo]], which was formally registered in 1950.<ref name="schroeter-romeo-history"/>


== Early life ==
== Early life ==


Schroeter was born in [[Cologne]] on 15 December 1889. His father, [[Lorenz Schroeter]], was German, while his mother, [[Catharina Ladesteijn]], was Dutch and came from Rotterdam. Lorenz died in 1896, after which Catharina returned to Rotterdam with seven-year-old Lourens and moved into her parents' household. Contact with his father's relatives in Cologne continued, and Schroeter remained fluent in German.
Schroeter was born in [[Cologne]] on 15 December 1889. His father, [[Lorenz Schroeter]], was German. His mother, [[Catharina Ladesteijn]], was Dutch and came from Rotterdam. Lorenz died in 1896, after which Catharina returned to Rotterdam with Lourens and moved into her parents' home. She continued taking him to visit his father's relatives in Cologne, and he grew up speaking both Dutch and German.


He trained as a machinist and ship engineer in Rotterdam after gaining practical workshop experience. He later worked aboard short-sea cargo steamships operating from Rotterdam to British and German ports. By 1913–1914 he had reached the position of chief engineer aboard a small cargo vessel.
After practical workshop work in Rotterdam, Schroeter trained as a machinist and ship engineer. He later worked aboard short-sea cargo steamships operating from Rotterdam. By 1913–1914 he was serving as chief engineer on a small cargo steamer.


Schroeter became a naturalised Dutch citizen in 1910 while retaining German nationality. He lost his Dutch nationality after voluntarily entering German military service in 1914.
Schroeter acquired Dutch nationality in 1910 without giving up his German nationality. His Dutch nationality ended after he voluntarily entered German military service in 1914. He remained a German national until he was naturalised again in the Netherlands in 1952.


== Military career ==
== First World War ==


=== 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.


At the outbreak of the First World War, Schroeter returned to Germany and volunteered for the army. He entered the replacement and training organisation of the [[5. Rheinisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 65]] in Cologne before joining the regiment in France. His age, technical education 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 served with the regiment during fighting in Champagne, the Saint-Mihiel sector, Artois and the Aisne. During 1916, losses among the regiment's officers repeatedly left him responsible for forces larger than his normal command. By the second half of that 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.


In May 1917, following the loss of a company commander during the fighting around Arras, Schroeter received permanent command of a company. He was known among subordinates and other officers for swearing frequently, including when addressing senior officers, but remained in command because he followed orders and was regarded as effective in the field.
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.


During fighting in Flanders later that year, German artillery struck a cemetery near his sector. Schroeter confronted officers responsible for the bombardment and described the expenditure of shells on the cemetery as a "waste of bones". His objection concerned the use of ammunition on a target he considered 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.


Schroeter was promoted to Oberleutnant der Reserve late in 1917. He remained a company commander into 1918 and took part in the German spring offensive. His company suffered heavy losses from artillery and machine-gun fire, after which he rebuilt it with survivors and replacements.
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.


In August 1918, a shell fragment struck the side of his face and scalp. The wound did not penetrate the skull, and he later returned to Regiment 65 before the armistice.
== Interwar period ==


=== Interwar period ===
After the war, Schroeter returned to Rotterdam. From 1919 until 1925 he worked at a general machine works repairing marine engines and industrial machinery. Motor vehicles became an increasing part of his work during this period.


Schroeter returned to Rotterdam after the war. From 1919 until 1925 he worked at a general machine works, repairing marine engines and industrial machinery. Motor-vehicle repair became an increasing part of his work during this period.
Schroeter moved back to Germany in 1925. He entered the civilian Landesschutz or L-Dienst organisation associated with the [[Reichswehr]] and was assigned to [[Wehrkreis II]] in Stettin. As a Kreisoffizier in Pomerania, he kept district mobilisation records and prepared reserve personnel and equipment for wartime call-up.


In 1925, Schroeter returned to Germany and entered the civilian Landesschutz or L-Dienst organisation associated with the [[Reichswehr]]. He was assigned to [[Wehrkreis II]] in Stettin and worked in the Pomeranian border-defence organisation. As a Kreisoffizier, he maintained personnel records and helped organise training, mobilisation preparations and equipment stores.
He joined the [[NSDAP]] on 1 July 1932.


Schroeter joined the [[NSDAP]] on 1 July 1932. He returned to active army service in 1934 as a Hauptmann and was promoted to Major in 1935. On 1 April 1936 he took command of I./[[Infanterie-Regiment 78]] in the newly formed [[26. Infanterie-Division]]. Following a reorganisation in October, the battalion became I./[[Infanterie-Regiment 77]], with Schroeter remaining in command.
Schroeter returned to active military service in 1934 with the rank of Hauptmann and was promoted to Major in 1935. On 1 April 1936, he took command of I./[[Infanterie-Regiment 78]] in the newly formed [[26. Infanterie-Division]]. Following a regimental reorganisation that October, his battalion became I./[[Infanterie-Regiment 77]].


He was promoted to Oberstleutnant in late 1937 and transferred to the staff of the 26. Infanterie-Division. His work concentrated on mobilisation preparation, infantry training, readiness inspections and the integration of reservists.
In late 1937, Schroeter was promoted to Oberstleutnant and transferred to the divisional staff. He worked on mobilisation preparations and infantry readiness as the German Army expanded.


=== Second World War ===
== Second World War ==


When the 26. Infanterie-Division mobilised in August 1939, it was deployed on Germany's western frontier. Schroeter remained with the division through the opening months of the war and was promoted to Oberst in early 1940.
The 26. Infanterie-Division mobilised in August 1939 and was deployed on Germany's western frontier. Schroeter remained with the formation through the opening months of the [[Second World War]] and was promoted to Oberst in early 1940.


During the German campaign in the west, he accompanied the division through Luxembourg and France. On 9 June 1940, during fighting around Voncq on the Aisne, an infantry crossing became congested while French counterattacks were under way. Schroeter went forward, reorganised movement through the available crossing points and directed engineers and heavy weapons toward the advancing infantry. The action was later cited in support of his promotion.
During the German offensive in the west, he accompanied the division through Luxembourg and France. On 9 June 1940, fighting around Voncq on the Aisne caused an infantry crossing to become congested while French counterattacks were under way. Schroeter went forward and reorganised movement across the available routes. He also pushed engineering support and heavy weapons toward the troops on the opposite side. His conduct during the action was later cited in support of his promotion.


Schroeter became Generalmajor on 1 February 1941. He was subsequently assigned to Höheres Kommando z.b.V. LX in Normandy, where he inspected infantry readiness and coastal defences, particularly in the western Cotentin area. During an anti-landing exercise he objected to the time required for inland reserves to reach the coast. After an argument with a divisional commander, reserve positions and movement routes were revised.
Schroeter became Generalmajor on 1 February 1941 and was assigned to Höheres Kommando z.b.V. LX in Normandy. He inspected infantry units in the western Cotentin and became critical of reserve formations that were positioned too far inland. An anti-landing exercise showed that part of the reserve could not reach the threatened coast quickly enough. Following an argument over the results, the local deployment plan was changed.


He was promoted to Generalleutnant with effect from 1 March 1942. Later that year he was transferred to duties under OB West and Heeresgruppe D. Following the Allied raid on Dieppe in August, Schroeter examined the German response, including reserve movements and communications. He concluded that coastal troops should delay and contain a landing while mobile reserves remained under central control until the main point of attack was clear.
His promotion to Generalleutnant took effect on 1 March 1942. Later that year he was transferred to duties under OB West and Heeresgruppe D.


Schroeter was promoted to General der Infanterie in October 1942. He subsequently commanded the temporary Gruppe Schroeter under [[15. Armee]], coordinating mobile infantry reserves and reinforcement routes behind the fixed coastal formations. His work later shifted toward inspection of infantry readiness along the Atlantic coast.
After the Allied raid on Dieppe in August 1942, Schroeter examined how the German defence had responded. He considered the decision to hold mobile reserves back until the main danger became clear to have been correct. His report called for reserve units to have predetermined movement routes and for coastal commands to communicate more quickly during an attack.


[[Martinus Antonius Johannes Paap]] took command of 15. Armee in March 1943 and spent much of that year inspecting the Pas-de-Calais defences and reorganising forces behind the coast.<ref name="martinus-higher-command"/> Schroeter worked under him as a senior inspector and adviser. He found that many static formations could occupy prepared strongpoints but performed poorly when required to manoeuvre outside them. With Paap's approval, he introduced a more intensive programme of field exercises, night movement, weapons training and counterattack drills.
Schroeter was promoted to General der Infanterie in October 1942. He later commanded the temporary Gruppe Schroeter under [[15. Armee]]. The formation coordinated mobile infantry reserves behind the fixed coastal sectors without replacing the corps already responsible for the coastline.


Schroeter and Paap became personal friends during their work in France, despite frequent arguments. Both favoured retaining a substantial mobile reserve behind the coastal positions. Schroeter repeatedly argued with [[Erwin Rommel]] over the same issue during the preparations for an Allied invasion.
[[Martinus Antonius Johannes Paap]] became commander of 15. Armee on 20 March 1943.<ref name="martinus-higher-command"/> Schroeter served under him as a senior inspector and adviser. During inspections he found that a number of static formations could hold prepared positions but performed poorly once forced to fight away from them. With Paap's approval, units judged deficient were taken out of bunker duty for repeated field exercises and movement training.


When the [[Normandy landings]] began on 6 June 1944, Schroeter initially believed they might be a diversion and that another major landing could still take place in the Pas-de-Calais. Paap regarded Normandy as the main invasion and requested the release of formations from his sector.<ref name="martinus-higher-command"/> By around 20 June, Schroeter had accepted that Normandy was the principal Allied operation.
Schroeter and Paap became friends during their work in France. They argued regularly but shared similar views on the need to retain mobile forces behind the coast.


Late that month he was sent into Normandy to report on infantry strength, replacement quality, ammunition supply and the effect of Allied air attacks on German movement. He concluded that daylight movement had become increasingly difficult and ordered greater use of night transport, dispersed vehicle groups, concealed assembly points and alternative routes. After Paap became commander of [[7. Armee]] on 28 June, Schroeter continued reporting to him.<ref name="martinus-normandy"/>
When [[Erwin Rommel]] became involved in the strengthening of the western defences, Schroeter disagreed with his preference for placing reserves close enough to the beaches to counterattack immediately. Schroeter continued to favour keeping a substantial mobile force farther inland until the main Allied landing had been identified.


By July, prolonged exhaustion and the condition of the German formations had begun to affect Schroeter's behaviour. During one telephone call with Paap he described the formations around him as "a pair of broken bones" and complained that "even the Italians fortified better". Paap responded by giving him a special role inspecting combat readiness and movement discipline across 7. Armee rather than assigning him a permanent divisional command.
When the [[Normandy landings]] began on 6 June 1944, Schroeter initially believed that Normandy might be a diversion and that a larger landing could still take place in the Pas-de-Calais. Paap believed from the beginning that Normandy was the main invasion and requested that formations be released from his sector.<ref name="martinus-higher-command"/> By around 20 June, Schroeter had accepted that the Normandy lodgement was the principal Allied operation.


Schroeter used the position aggressively. In one July incident he stopped a large supply and reinforcement column preparing to move in daylight and ordered the vehicles dispersed beneath trees, beside buildings and along side roads. Allied aircraft appeared over the area later the same day. Complaints about his treatment of transport officers reached Paap, who privately ordered him to stop publicly humiliating officers and threatening their removal without headquarters approval.
Late that month, Schroeter was sent into Normandy to determine whether depleted German formations could still move, receive supplies and fight effectively under Allied air attack. He regarded Allied air superiority as the most immediate operational problem. He pushed transport into the hours of darkness and ordered vehicles to move in smaller groups, using concealed halts and alternate roads where possible.


During [[Operation Cobra]], Schroeter was temporarily given control of depleted formations on the Coutances–Avranches axis. He organised remnants, stragglers and support troops into short-lived blocking positions intended to delay the American advance. On one occasion he stopped a retreating battalion on the road, ordered its officers to count the remaining weapons and reorganised its survivors into usable companies. The battalion collapsed again under American pressure, and Paap ordered Schroeter to stop repeatedly committing the exhausted unit.<ref name="martinus-normandy"/>
Paap took command of [[7. Armee]] on 28 June.<ref name="martinus-normandy"/> Schroeter's work in Normandy continued under his authority.


In early August, Paap attempted to return him to inspection and staff duties. Schroeter initially refused the order, prompting Paap to travel to his headquarters and confront him directly. Schroeter was allowed to remain near the front but lost independent command authority.
By July, prolonged exhaustion and the condition of the German forces had begun to affect Schroeter's behaviour. During a telephone call with Paap, he described the formations around him as "a pair of broken bones" and complained that "even the Italians fortified better". The second remark was made during an angry argument about the failure to establish a stronger defence after the Allied breakout from the beaches.


During the subsequent retreat toward the Seine, Schroeter found a formation abandoning usable vehicles, ammunition trailers and infantry guns. He ordered the equipment recovered or destroyed rather than left intact. After the responsible officer argued that recovery under Allied air attack was too dangerous, Schroeter struck him. Paap did not pursue a court-martial but removed Schroeter from 7. Armee.
Paap responded by giving Schroeter a special assignment dealing with combat readiness and movement discipline rather than giving him permanent command of a division or corps. Schroeter moved between sectors and imposed immediate changes where he found units unable to move or reorganise themselves.


Schroeter was placed in the Führerreserve. When another active assignment was proposed in September 1944, he refused it and requested release from military service. A medical assessment recorded severe spinal problems in addition to exhaustion after the Normandy campaign. He was formally discharged from active service on 31 December 1944.
During one incident in July, he found a large supply and reinforcement column preparing to travel during daylight. Schroeter stopped the movement, broke the column into smaller groups and had the vehicles placed under local cover until they could move more safely. Allied aircraft appeared over the area later that day. Complaints about his treatment of the transport officers reached Paap, who privately warned him to stop publicly humiliating officers and threatening their removal without headquarters approval.
 
After [[Operation Cobra]] began on 25 July, Schroeter was temporarily given authority over badly depleted forces on the Coutances–Avranches axis. He used whatever troops were still available around the road network to establish temporary blocking positions while other German units withdrew.
 
Around the end of July, Schroeter encountered a battalion retreating along the Coutances–Avranches road. He stopped it with vehicles from his own staff, forced the officers to establish how many men and weapons remained, and reorganised the survivors before sending them back into a temporary defensive position. The battalion broke again under American pressure. Schroeter attempted to reorganise it a second time until Paap ordered him to stop committing the exhausted troops simply because he was angry that they had withdrawn.
 
In early August, Paap tried to remove Schroeter from direct field command and return him to inspection work. Schroeter refused the order. Paap travelled to his headquarters and confronted him personally, after which Schroeter was allowed to remain near the front but lost independent command authority.
 
During the retreat from the Falaise area toward the Seine, Schroeter found troops abandoning usable transport and guns before the road had become impassable. He ordered equipment that could still be moved to be recovered and the remainder disabled. When an officer argued that the recovery effort was too dangerous because of Allied aircraft, Schroeter struck him. Members of his staff separated the two men.
 
Paap did not seek a court-martial. He removed Schroeter from 7. Armee and cited his exhaustion when the incident was reported.
 
Schroeter was subsequently placed in the Führerreserve. When another active assignment was proposed in September 1944, he refused it and requested release from service. A medical examination recorded serious spinal disease in addition to his exhaustion. He had degenerative lumbar spondylosis with lumbar spinal stenosis, which by then caused a permanent limp and made prolonged standing difficult.
 
Schroeter remained in the Führerreserve for the rest of the year and was formally discharged from active military service on 31 December 1944.


== Postwar life and Schroeter Romeo ==
== Postwar life and Schroeter Romeo ==


Schroeter returned to Overschie in January 1945. After the liberation of the Netherlands in May, he was arrested in Rotterdam and detained while authorities examined his NSDAP membership, senior German military service and wartime activities. [[Ferdinand Schroeter]] helped arrange legal representation and supplied financial and accommodation guarantees. Schroeter was conditionally released in the autumn of 1945. No war-crimes conviction followed.
Schroeter returned to Overschie in January 1945 as a medically discharged German civilian. After the liberation of the Netherlands in May, he was arrested in Rotterdam and detained for several months while authorities reviewed his political and military record.
 
[[Ferdinand Schroeter]] helped arrange legal representation and provided guarantees for his accommodation after release. Schroeter's spinal condition also worsened during his detention. He was conditionally released in the autumn of 1945 and remained subject to restrictions while the investigation continued. He was not convicted of war crimes.
 
After returning to Overschie, Schroeter began working in a modest workshop with his five-year-old son [[Lourens Schroeter|Lau]]. The shop took ordinary repair work for income but also recovered usable components from damaged and incomplete wartime vehicles. Complete road vehicles began to be assembled there almost immediately. Lau performed simple workshop tasks while his father carried out the mechanical work.
 
The operation expanded during the second half of the 1940s. By 1950, several hundred vehicles had been assembled, although the early vehicles varied considerably according to which components were available. The business was formally registered as [[Schroeter Romeo]] in [[Vriendendam]] in 1950.<ref name="schroeter-romeo-history"/>
 
Schroeter regained Dutch nationality through naturalisation in 1952.


After his release, Schroeter returned to Overschie and began working on vehicles with his five-year-old son Lau. They repaired vehicles for income, salvaged parts from incomplete or damaged wartime vehicles and assembled simple passenger cars, light vans and utility vehicles from the components available to them. The work soon developed beyond ordinary repair, and hundreds of vehicles had been assembled by 1950. That year the operation was formally registered as [[Schroeter Romeo]] in [[Vriendendam]].<ref name="schroeter-romeo-history"/>
He remained involved with Schroeter Romeo as Lau grew older. By the early 1960s, Schroeter was still a formal co-director but had stopped handling most daily business. Lau had taken over the company's routine management, while his father continued to examine designs and mechanical problems.


Schroeter regained Dutch nationality in 1952. He remained involved in Schroeter Romeo as Lau became increasingly responsible for production, employees and suppliers.
In 1959, Schroeter attended the second [[Middenvader Commissie]] alongside Ferdinand Schroeter.<ref name="middenvader-1959"/> He supported Ferdinand during the dispute over the future of [[Schroeter Traktoren]]. Schroeter remained seated for much of the meeting because of his spinal condition but repeatedly joined the arguments. He left with Ferdinand and the other Schroeters-West representatives when they walked out of the commission.


In 1959, Schroeter attended the second [[Middenvader Commissie]] alongside Ferdinand Schroeter.<ref name="middenvader-1959"/> He supported Ferdinand's opposition to the proposed dissolution of [[Schroeter Traktoren]]. His spinal condition already made prolonged standing difficult, and he remained seated for much of the meeting while taking part in the arguments. He was present when the Schroeters-West representatives walked out. Schroeter Romeo remained operational after Schroeter Traktoren closed later that year and became one of the surviving industrial enterprises of the family.<ref name="schroeter-family-later"/>
Schroeter Romeo continued after Schroeter Traktoren was dissolved later that year and became one of the principal surviving industrial businesses of the family.<ref name="schroeter-family-later"/>


By the early 1960s, Schroeter remained a formal co-director of Schroeter Romeo but no longer handled most daily operations. He continued reviewing designs, engines and prototype problems while Lau managed the company's routine work. After spinal surgery around 1965, he increasingly worked from home and visited the factory only for major reviews.
Around 1965, Schroeter underwent spinal surgery. The procedure reduced some of his leg pain but did not restore normal mobility. He continued as a co-director but increasingly reviewed company matters from home. Lau brought technical drawings and unresolved engineering problems to him, while factory visits became uncommon.


Schroeter continued to be questioned about his wartime career in later life. He did not apologise for having served in the German Army and argued that his military career and NSDAP membership should be treated separately. He acknowledged that he had joined the party in 1932 but refused to explain his reasons for doing so.
Schroeter's wartime record remained a subject of public attention. He did not apologise for his service in the German Army and maintained that his military career should not be treated as identical to his political affiliation. When asked why he had joined the NSDAP in 1932, he acknowledged that the membership was genuine but refused to explain his reasons.


== Personal life and health ==
== Personal life and health ==


Schroeter married [[Johanna van der Meer]], a Dutch woman from Rotterdam, in 1927. Johanna remained based in Rotterdam while Schroeter worked in Germany and later served abroad. Their known sons were [[Lourens Schroeter|Lourens Albert Wilhelm "Lau" Schroeter]], born on 14 January 1940, and [[Martin Schroeter]], born on 5 December 1940.
Schroeter married [[Johanna van der Meer]], a Dutch woman from Rotterdam, in 1927. Their known children were [[Lourens Schroeter|Lourens (Lau) Albert Wilhelm Schroeter]], born on 14 January 1940, and [[Martin Schroeter]], born on 5 December 1940.
 
Johanna remained based in Rotterdam while Schroeter worked in Germany and later served abroad. He returned home when leave permitted. On a small number of occasions during the war, Johanna and the children stayed near his postings in occupied France, but Overschie remained their permanent home.
 
Schroeter was less harsh with his family than he was in military service. He spent time showing Lau how machinery worked and later involved him in simple tasks at the postwar workshop. Martin grew up around the workshop but showed little interest in engineering and was only marginally involved.


During the Second World War, Schroeter returned to his family when leave permitted. Johanna and the children also occasionally stayed near his postings in occupied France, although their permanent home remained in Overschie. At home, Schroeter was more patient with Lau than he was with most subordinates and encouraged his early interest in mechanical work.
Schroeter's friendship with [[Martinus Antonius Johannes Paap]] continued after the war.


His friendship with [[Martinus Antonius Johannes Paap]] continued after the war. The two remained in contact despite Paap's imprisonment and later release.
His spinal disease progressively reduced his mobility after 1945. By the middle of the 1960s he commonly used a walker over short distances and a wheelchair for longer journeys.


Schroeter had degenerative lumbar spondylosis with lumbar spinal stenosis by the end of the war. His mobility deteriorated over the following decades. By the mid-1960s he used a walker for short distances and a wheelchair for longer journeys. He underwent lumbar decompression surgery around 1965, which reduced some of his symptoms but did not restore normal mobility.
Schroeter was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease around 1968. The disease gradually compounded his existing mobility problems and eventually affected his speech. By the middle of the 1970s he was largely dependent on a wheelchair, although he remained mentally capable of discussing company matters.


He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease around 1968. The disease progressively caused rigidity, slowed movement, balance problems and speech difficulties. By the mid-1970s it was severe. Schroeter suffered a stroke in 1976, after which his remaining involvement with Schroeter Romeo largely ended. He became increasingly reclusive and required substantial assistance at home.
In 1976, Schroeter suffered a stroke. The resulting weakness and speech impairment effectively ended his remaining involvement with Schroeter Romeo. He stayed at home and became increasingly dependent on Johanna and other carers.


Johanna died from a cerebral haemorrhage on 14 September 1984. Schroeter's physical condition deteriorated further during the following months, with reduced appetite and increasing dependence on carers.
Johanna died suddenly from a cerebral haemorrhage on 14 September 1984. In the months after her death, Schroeter ate less, lost further strength and required more daily assistance.


== Death ==
== Death ==


In late January 1985, Schroeter developed a urinary tract infection at his home in Overschie. The infection progressed to sepsis and acute kidney failure. He remained at home under medical and family care and died there on 14 February 1985, aged 95.
Schroeter developed a urinary tract infection at his home in Overschie in late January 1985. It was initially treated at home but progressed to sepsis and acute kidney failure.
 
He died at home on 14 February 1985, aged 95.


Schroeter received a large family funeral attended by relatives and senior Schroeter Romeo personnel. The ceremony was not conducted as a military funeral and included no Wehrmacht honours. He was buried at Hofwijk cemetery in Rotterdam.
His funeral was attended by members of the Schroeter family and senior personnel from Schroeter Romeo. It was not conducted as a military funeral and included no Wehrmacht honours. Schroeter was buried at Hofwijk cemetery in Rotterdam.


== See also ==
== See also ==
Line 158: Line 189:
== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="schroeter-family-origins">"[[Schroeter family#Origins|Origins]]". ''Schroeter family''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
<ref name="schroeter-family-later">"[[Schroeter family#Later history|Later history]]". ''Schroeter family''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
<ref name="schroeter-family-later">"[[Schroeter family#Later history|Later history]]". ''Schroeter family''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
<ref name="schroeter-romeo-history">"[[Schroeter Romeo#History|History]]". ''Schroeter Romeo''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
<ref name="schroeter-romeo-history">"[[Schroeter Romeo#History|History]]". ''Schroeter Romeo''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
<ref name="middenvader-1959">"[[Middenvader Commissie#Second commission (1959)|Second commission (1959)]]". ''Middenvader Commissie''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
<ref name="middenvader-1959">"[[Middenvader Commissie#Second commission (1959)|Second commission (1959)]]". ''Middenvader Commissie''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
<ref name="martinus-higher-command">"[[Martinus Antonius Johannes Paap#Higher command|Higher command]]". ''Martinus Antonius Johannes Paap''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
<ref name="martinus-higher-command">"[[Martinus Antonius Johannes Paap#Higher command|Higher command]]". ''Martinus Antonius Johannes Paap''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
<ref name="martinus-normandy">"[[Martinus Antonius Johannes Paap#Normandy|Normandy]]". ''Martinus Antonius Johannes Paap''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
<ref name="martinus-normandy">"[[Martinus Antonius Johannes Paap#Normandy|Normandy]]". ''Martinus Anton
}}
 
[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Schroeter family]]
[[Category:Schroeter family members]]
[[Category:Schroeter Romeo]]
[[Category:Vaders]]
[[Category:German Army personnel of World War I]]
[[Category:German Army personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:1889 births]]
[[Category:1985 deaths]]
[[Category:Pre-Vader Era]]
[[Category:Vader Era]]
[[Category:Middenvader Era]]
[[Category:Vriend Era]]

Revision as of 09:53, 5 October 2026

Lourens Schroeter
Born(1889-12-15)15 December 1889
Cologne, German Empire
Died14 February 1985(1985-02-14) (aged 95)
Overschie, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Occupations
  • Engineer
  • Automotive manufacturer
Era
Known forCo-founder of Schroeter Romeo
Height1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Political partyNSDAP (1932–1945)
SpouseJohanna van der Meer (m. 1927)
ChildrenAt least 2, including Lourens Schroeter and Martin Schroeter
Parents
FamilySchroeter family
Military career
Allegiance
BranchArmy
Service years
  • 1914–1918
  • 1934–1944
RankGeneral der Infanterie
Unit5. Rheinisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 65
Commands
Conflicts
Awards

Lourens Schroeter (15 December 1889 – 14 February 1985) was an engineer and automotive manufacturer from the Schroeter family. He served as a German Army officer during both world wars and reached the rank of General der Infanterie in the Wehrmacht. He joined the NSDAP in 1932. After leaving military service, he returned to Rotterdam and began assembling road vehicles with his son Lau Schroeter in 1945. Their workshop developed into Schroeter Romeo, which was formally registered in 1950.[1]

Early life

Schroeter was born in Cologne on 15 December 1889. His father, Lorenz Schroeter, was German. His mother, Catharina Ladesteijn, was Dutch and came from Rotterdam. Lorenz died in 1896, after which Catharina returned to Rotterdam with Lourens and moved into her parents' home. She continued taking him to visit his father's relatives in Cologne, and he grew up speaking both Dutch and German.

After practical workshop work in Rotterdam, Schroeter trained as a machinist and ship engineer. He later worked aboard short-sea cargo steamships operating from Rotterdam. By 1913–1914 he was serving as chief engineer on a small cargo steamer.

Schroeter acquired Dutch nationality in 1910 without giving up his German nationality. His Dutch nationality ended after he voluntarily entered German military service in 1914. He remained a German national until he was naturalised again in the Netherlands in 1952.

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.

Interwar period

After the war, Schroeter returned to Rotterdam. From 1919 until 1925 he worked at a general machine works repairing marine engines and industrial machinery. Motor vehicles became an increasing part of his work during this period.

Schroeter moved back to Germany in 1925. He entered the civilian Landesschutz or L-Dienst organisation associated with the Reichswehr and was assigned to Wehrkreis II in Stettin. As a Kreisoffizier in Pomerania, he kept district mobilisation records and prepared reserve personnel and equipment for wartime call-up.

He joined the NSDAP on 1 July 1932.

Schroeter returned to active military service in 1934 with the rank of Hauptmann and was promoted to Major in 1935. On 1 April 1936, he took command of I./Infanterie-Regiment 78 in the newly formed 26. Infanterie-Division. Following a regimental reorganisation that October, his battalion became I./Infanterie-Regiment 77.

In late 1937, Schroeter was promoted to Oberstleutnant and transferred to the divisional staff. He worked on mobilisation preparations and infantry readiness as the German Army expanded.

Second World War

The 26. Infanterie-Division mobilised in August 1939 and was deployed on Germany's western frontier. Schroeter remained with the formation through the opening months of the Second World War and was promoted to Oberst in early 1940.

During the German offensive in the west, he accompanied the division through Luxembourg and France. On 9 June 1940, fighting around Voncq on the Aisne caused an infantry crossing to become congested while French counterattacks were under way. Schroeter went forward and reorganised movement across the available routes. He also pushed engineering support and heavy weapons toward the troops on the opposite side. His conduct during the action was later cited in support of his promotion.

Schroeter became Generalmajor on 1 February 1941 and was assigned to Höheres Kommando z.b.V. LX in Normandy. He inspected infantry units in the western Cotentin and became critical of reserve formations that were positioned too far inland. An anti-landing exercise showed that part of the reserve could not reach the threatened coast quickly enough. Following an argument over the results, the local deployment plan was changed.

His promotion to Generalleutnant took effect on 1 March 1942. Later that year he was transferred to duties under OB West and Heeresgruppe D.

After the Allied raid on Dieppe in August 1942, Schroeter examined how the German defence had responded. He considered the decision to hold mobile reserves back until the main danger became clear to have been correct. His report called for reserve units to have predetermined movement routes and for coastal commands to communicate more quickly during an attack.

Schroeter was promoted to General der Infanterie in October 1942. He later commanded the temporary Gruppe Schroeter under 15. Armee. The formation coordinated mobile infantry reserves behind the fixed coastal sectors without replacing the corps already responsible for the coastline.

Martinus Antonius Johannes Paap became commander of 15. Armee on 20 March 1943.[2] Schroeter served under him as a senior inspector and adviser. During inspections he found that a number of static formations could hold prepared positions but performed poorly once forced to fight away from them. With Paap's approval, units judged deficient were taken out of bunker duty for repeated field exercises and movement training.

Schroeter and Paap became friends during their work in France. They argued regularly but shared similar views on the need to retain mobile forces behind the coast.

When Erwin Rommel became involved in the strengthening of the western defences, Schroeter disagreed with his preference for placing reserves close enough to the beaches to counterattack immediately. Schroeter continued to favour keeping a substantial mobile force farther inland until the main Allied landing had been identified.

When the Normandy landings began on 6 June 1944, Schroeter initially believed that Normandy might be a diversion and that a larger landing could still take place in the Pas-de-Calais. Paap believed from the beginning that Normandy was the main invasion and requested that formations be released from his sector.[2] By around 20 June, Schroeter had accepted that the Normandy lodgement was the principal Allied operation.

Late that month, Schroeter was sent into Normandy to determine whether depleted German formations could still move, receive supplies and fight effectively under Allied air attack. He regarded Allied air superiority as the most immediate operational problem. He pushed transport into the hours of darkness and ordered vehicles to move in smaller groups, using concealed halts and alternate roads where possible.

Paap took command of 7. Armee on 28 June.[3] Schroeter's work in Normandy continued under his authority.

By July, prolonged exhaustion and the condition of the German forces had begun to affect Schroeter's behaviour. During a telephone call with Paap, he described the formations around him as "a pair of broken bones" and complained that "even the Italians fortified better". The second remark was made during an angry argument about the failure to establish a stronger defence after the Allied breakout from the beaches.

Paap responded by giving Schroeter a special assignment dealing with combat readiness and movement discipline rather than giving him permanent command of a division or corps. Schroeter moved between sectors and imposed immediate changes where he found units unable to move or reorganise themselves.

During one incident in July, he found a large supply and reinforcement column preparing to travel during daylight. Schroeter stopped the movement, broke the column into smaller groups and had the vehicles placed under local cover until they could move more safely. Allied aircraft appeared over the area later that day. Complaints about his treatment of the transport officers reached Paap, who privately warned him to stop publicly humiliating officers and threatening their removal without headquarters approval.

After Operation Cobra began on 25 July, Schroeter was temporarily given authority over badly depleted forces on the Coutances–Avranches axis. He used whatever troops were still available around the road network to establish temporary blocking positions while other German units withdrew.

Around the end of July, Schroeter encountered a battalion retreating along the Coutances–Avranches road. He stopped it with vehicles from his own staff, forced the officers to establish how many men and weapons remained, and reorganised the survivors before sending them back into a temporary defensive position. The battalion broke again under American pressure. Schroeter attempted to reorganise it a second time until Paap ordered him to stop committing the exhausted troops simply because he was angry that they had withdrawn.

In early August, Paap tried to remove Schroeter from direct field command and return him to inspection work. Schroeter refused the order. Paap travelled to his headquarters and confronted him personally, after which Schroeter was allowed to remain near the front but lost independent command authority.

During the retreat from the Falaise area toward the Seine, Schroeter found troops abandoning usable transport and guns before the road had become impassable. He ordered equipment that could still be moved to be recovered and the remainder disabled. When an officer argued that the recovery effort was too dangerous because of Allied aircraft, Schroeter struck him. Members of his staff separated the two men.

Paap did not seek a court-martial. He removed Schroeter from 7. Armee and cited his exhaustion when the incident was reported.

Schroeter was subsequently placed in the Führerreserve. When another active assignment was proposed in September 1944, he refused it and requested release from service. A medical examination recorded serious spinal disease in addition to his exhaustion. He had degenerative lumbar spondylosis with lumbar spinal stenosis, which by then caused a permanent limp and made prolonged standing difficult.

Schroeter remained in the Führerreserve for the rest of the year and was formally discharged from active military service on 31 December 1944.

Postwar life and Schroeter Romeo

Schroeter returned to Overschie in January 1945 as a medically discharged German civilian. After the liberation of the Netherlands in May, he was arrested in Rotterdam and detained for several months while authorities reviewed his political and military record.

Ferdinand Schroeter helped arrange legal representation and provided guarantees for his accommodation after release. Schroeter's spinal condition also worsened during his detention. He was conditionally released in the autumn of 1945 and remained subject to restrictions while the investigation continued. He was not convicted of war crimes.

After returning to Overschie, Schroeter began working in a modest workshop with his five-year-old son Lau. The shop took ordinary repair work for income but also recovered usable components from damaged and incomplete wartime vehicles. Complete road vehicles began to be assembled there almost immediately. Lau performed simple workshop tasks while his father carried out the mechanical work.

The operation expanded during the second half of the 1940s. By 1950, several hundred vehicles had been assembled, although the early vehicles varied considerably according to which components were available. The business was formally registered as Schroeter Romeo in Vriendendam in 1950.[1]

Schroeter regained Dutch nationality through naturalisation in 1952.

He remained involved with Schroeter Romeo as Lau grew older. By the early 1960s, Schroeter was still a formal co-director but had stopped handling most daily business. Lau had taken over the company's routine management, while his father continued to examine designs and mechanical problems.

In 1959, Schroeter attended the second Middenvader Commissie alongside Ferdinand Schroeter.[4] He supported Ferdinand during the dispute over the future of Schroeter Traktoren. Schroeter remained seated for much of the meeting because of his spinal condition but repeatedly joined the arguments. He left with Ferdinand and the other Schroeters-West representatives when they walked out of the commission.

Schroeter Romeo continued after Schroeter Traktoren was dissolved later that year and became one of the principal surviving industrial businesses of the family.[5]

Around 1965, Schroeter underwent spinal surgery. The procedure reduced some of his leg pain but did not restore normal mobility. He continued as a co-director but increasingly reviewed company matters from home. Lau brought technical drawings and unresolved engineering problems to him, while factory visits became uncommon.

Schroeter's wartime record remained a subject of public attention. He did not apologise for his service in the German Army and maintained that his military career should not be treated as identical to his political affiliation. When asked why he had joined the NSDAP in 1932, he acknowledged that the membership was genuine but refused to explain his reasons.

Personal life and health

Schroeter married Johanna van der Meer, a Dutch woman from Rotterdam, in 1927. Their known children were Lourens (Lau) Albert Wilhelm Schroeter, born on 14 January 1940, and Martin Schroeter, born on 5 December 1940.

Johanna remained based in Rotterdam while Schroeter worked in Germany and later served abroad. He returned home when leave permitted. On a small number of occasions during the war, Johanna and the children stayed near his postings in occupied France, but Overschie remained their permanent home.

Schroeter was less harsh with his family than he was in military service. He spent time showing Lau how machinery worked and later involved him in simple tasks at the postwar workshop. Martin grew up around the workshop but showed little interest in engineering and was only marginally involved.

Schroeter's friendship with Martinus Antonius Johannes Paap continued after the war.

His spinal disease progressively reduced his mobility after 1945. By the middle of the 1960s he commonly used a walker over short distances and a wheelchair for longer journeys.

Schroeter was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease around 1968. The disease gradually compounded his existing mobility problems and eventually affected his speech. By the middle of the 1970s he was largely dependent on a wheelchair, although he remained mentally capable of discussing company matters.

In 1976, Schroeter suffered a stroke. The resulting weakness and speech impairment effectively ended his remaining involvement with Schroeter Romeo. He stayed at home and became increasingly dependent on Johanna and other carers.

Johanna died suddenly from a cerebral haemorrhage on 14 September 1984. In the months after her death, Schroeter ate less, lost further strength and required more daily assistance.

Death

Schroeter developed a urinary tract infection at his home in Overschie in late January 1985. It was initially treated at home but progressed to sepsis and acute kidney failure.

He died at home on 14 February 1985, aged 95.

His funeral was attended by members of the Schroeter family and senior personnel from Schroeter Romeo. It was not conducted as a military funeral and included no Wehrmacht honours. Schroeter was buried at Hofwijk cemetery in Rotterdam.

See also

References

{{Reflist|refs= [5] [1] [4] [2] <ref name="martinus-normandy">"Normandy". Martinus Anton

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "History". Schroeter Romeo. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Higher command". Martinus Antonius Johannes Paap. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named martinus-normandy
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Second commission (1959)". Middenvader Commissie. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Later history". Schroeter family. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
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