Daily Mail (UK) November 02nd, 2009
'Legendary' Soldier Who Defused 64 Taliban Bombs Is Blown Up On His Last Day On The Front Line By IAN DRURY 03rd November 2009 An army bomb disposal expert who saved countless lives in Afghanistan was killed on his final mission in the warzone. Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid, 30, died instantly when a roadside bomb he was trying to disarm blew up. The Improvised Explosive Devices are the favoured weapon of the Taliban and since June Sergeant Schmid had successfully dealt with 64 of them. Legendary figure: Olaf Schmid was renowned for his expertise in disarming explosive devices. Colleagues described him as an inspiration Senior military officers described the Royal Logistics Corps warrior as a 'legend' who 'stared death in the face on a daily basis'. He was on his last operational day of a five-month stint when he lost his life. He was due to fly home for a two-week break with his family this Saturday before returning to Afghanistan for a final month. Offering a chilling insight into the mortal dangers he faced, Sergeant Schmid - nicknamed 'Oz' - told ITN News before he deployed of the gruelling 'mental, emotional and physical challenge' of disarming bombs. His devastated wife Christina said last night she felt overwhelming grief but 'took comfort' in knowing that her husband had saved dozens of lives.
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