Forczyk characterized him as a "soldier's soldier" who was able to motivate his troops even under "extreme conditions". His force was gradually reinforced by other Wehrmacht units which were in retreat in the face of a Soviet offensive. "Kampfgruppe Scherer" thus grew to about 6,000 men. He repeatedly attempted to coordinate with other German forces to facilitate a breakthrough to relief his troops, while countering Soviet assaults and organizing the evacuation of wounded soldiers. Scherer also hoped for aerial support, requesting assistance by paratroopers on 19 February 1942 as his force was close to being overwhelmed. However, the Wehrmacht could only spare a token force; despite this, the Soviets eventually reduced their attacks. On 20 February 1942, Scherer was decorated with the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Althaus argued that the medal was probably supposed to lessen Scherer's anger about the lack of support for his force. Scherer's force was finally relieved on 5 May 1942. About 5,500 survivors of the pocket were also decorated with the newly created Cholm Shield; it has been alleged that Scherer himself designed the medal, although this is unconfirmed. Scherer was subsequently appointed commander of the 34th and then the 83rd Infantry Division, as well as promoted to major general. At the time of him assuming command of the 83rd Infantry Division in November 1942, the unit had been mostly encircled during the Battle of Velikiye Luki. Scherer was located outside this pocket and attempted to save his unit, but the 83rd Infantry Division was mostly destroyed in January 1943. In April 1944, Scherer was made Inspector of Coastal Defences for the Eastern Front, a position he held until the end of the war. By this point, he had risen to Generalleutnant. He was killed in a car accident at Ludwigsburg on 17 May 1951. Awards and decorations Iron Cross (1914) 2nd Class (26 August 1914) & 1st Class (17 January 1920) Clasp to the Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class & 1st Class (20 June 1940) Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Knight's Cross on 20 February 1942 as Generalmajor and commander of the 281st Security Division Oak Leaves on 5 May 1942 as Generalmajor and commander of the 281st Security Division Cholm Shield on 31 October 1942 References Citations Bibliography 1889 births 1951 deaths People from the Kingdom of Bavaria Military personnel from Bavaria Lieutenant generals of the German