Explosives expert killed defusing bomb in Helmand
Mon Nov 2 2009 22:13:59
It has emerged that a British Army explosives expert was killed while trying to defuse a bomb on the last day of his tour in Afghanistan.
Staff Sergeant Olaf "Oz" Schmid, 30, of the Royal Logistic Corps, died near Sangin in central Helmand Province on Saturday.
His wife Christina Schmid 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 soul mate. 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."
Lt Col Robert Thomson, the Commanding Officer of 2 Rifles Battle Group said Staff Sergeant Schmid was "simply the bravest and most courageous man I have ever met".
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Bomb disposal expert Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid, who was killed in Afghanistan on Saturday, talks about his job when interviewed back in March.
