 According to Schoeps, Schmid is "probably the most remarkable" of all the "Wehrmacht" rescuers in Vilnius, because he not only helped Jewish refugees but furthered Jewish resistance.Other "Wehrmacht" rescuers, such as Major Karl Plagge, worked within the system to save Jews.Wolfram Wette described Schmid as "one of the gold grains hidden under the heap of rubble" in the history of Nazi Germany, as there were so few Germans willing to risk their lives to help Jews.