Soldiering is a dangerous profession, invariably underpaid but generously rewarded by the courage and constancy of one's comrades. Despite the political rhetoric, soldiers do not fight for some high-flown cause, however flamboyantly expressed, or for someone to gain a seat at a political top table; they fight for their friends of “Bravo” Company.
服兵役是個危險的職業，通常收入不高，然而卻可以因同胞的勇氣和堅定大受褒獎。無論政治措辭多麼浮誇，士兵們不再野心勃勃，也不再想攀上高位。他們要的僅僅是同胞們的陣陣喝彩。
Dependence on the man beside you in the slit trench, on those giving covering fire as you cross open ground, on the sappers lifting the mines, the gunners getting their shells on target on time and the pilots suppressing the enemy you cannot see or reach, is key to success; but dependence on those dealing with the insidious threat of the improvised explosive device (IEDs) is of an even higher order.
戰壕中的同伴，穿越開闊地時掩護你的人，托舉炸彈的工兵，上好砲彈的砲手，平定敵人的飛行員都是取得勝利不可或缺的依靠。但是，更高的要求就要靠排除路邊爆炸裝置的士兵了。
It is a threat new only in its form; the land mines and delayed-action bombs dropped on Britain in the early years of the Second World War called for experts from all three Armed Services to defuse or detonate them. Like the bomb disposal specialists of today, they faced the constantly changing and increasing risks of new antihandling devices; there is never certainty, only cold courage and calculation. It is work that humbles the bravest of the brave.
這種威脅僅僅是換湯不換藥；二戰早期在英國投放的地雷和延時炸彈就要求海陸空三軍的軍事專家來排除。和當今的排彈專家一樣，他們當時同樣面臨著反拆卸裝置的不可預見性和不斷增加的風險。永無保證，僅靠無畏和計算。這樣的任務另勇者中的勇者都會生畏。
Staff-Sergeant Olaf Schmid was such a man and was acknowledged to be an expert among experts, at the peak of his skills with a record of spectacular but quiet success. He was killed instantly in the town of Sangin, Afghanistan, while disarming an IED which, it must be assumed, was fitted with an anti-handling mechanism of a new complexity or a secondary control system to be triggered after the device's discovery.
Olaf Schmid上士就是這樣的勇士。公認的專家中的專家，技術上登峰造極，有著驚人卻不張揚的成績。在阿富汗Sangin排除簡易爆炸裝置時當場死亡。這枚裝置事後據稱安裝有新型組合或二級引爆控制的反拆卸裝置。
Men like Schmid, trained and experienced to the highest level, are the defensive line against IEDs; there is no tactic or strategy to prevent their use, just as there is no sure way to defeat the suicide bombers apart from ending their motivation.
像Schmid這類訓練有素且經驗豐富的極品專家是排除路邊爆炸裝置的中堅力量。目前還沒有方法或策略來阻止這類裝置的使用，就如同沒有辦法阻止使用自殺性炸彈一樣。
Olav, known as “Oz” to his comrades and friends, was born in Truro, Cornwall, of a German mother, Barbara, and a Swiss father, Hans Schmid, who died some years ago. He joined the Royal Logistic Corps in 1996 and shortly afterwards applied to train as an ammunition and bomb disposal specialist.
Olaf, 戰友和朋友們都稱他為Oz,出生在Cornwall的Truro.媽媽芭芭拉是個德國人，爸爸漢斯是瑞士人，幾年前剛剛去世。 Olaf 1996年加入皇家後勤部隊，不久就申請接受成為排彈專家。
The selection for this discipline is exceptionally rigorous, calling not only for an analytical mind but also a calm and philosophical disposition. Schmid qualified on all counts and was promoted to the rank of staffsergeant in 2008.
這項訓練的選拔極為苛刻，不但要善於分析事物還要可以冷靜的處理問題。 Schmid全部合格並在2008年被提升為上士。
He had served previously in Northern Ireland, Yugoslavia and Kosovo and recently with the Logistic Regiment of 3 Commando Brigade, Royal Marines. The spirit and fitness ethos of the Commando Brigade matched his own attitude to perfection. He studied every new aspect of his demanding speciality and, following further intensive training, qualified as a “High Threat” operator, the pinnacle of bomb disposal achievement. Work with Special Forces, supervising the work of other experts and instructing police tactical firearms teams was opened up to him.
他之前在北愛，南斯拉夫和科索沃服役。進來在皇家海軍第三突擊旅後勤團服役。這裡的精神和健康向上的氛圍與他追求完美的態度相得益彰。他認真挖掘自己深奧專業中的新東西，進行進一步的深化訓練，稱得上一名具有“殺傷力”操作員，排彈精尖。他有機會與特種部隊合作，監督其他專業人員的工作，指導警方的戰略小組。
Schmid arrived in Afghanistan in June 2009 and was immediately involved in the hazardous Operation Panchai Palang (Panther's Claw), in the southern Helmand province, designed to extend the area of control and offer a greater element of local security to the population in preparation for the Afghanistan national elections, challenged by the Taleban.
2009年6月Schmid到達阿富汗，立即投入到赫爾曼德省危險的“豹爪”行動中。此次行動旨在擴充控制範圍，為塔利班發起的阿富汗國家大選提供更好的安全措施。
Thanks to the now-acknowledged shortage of troop-lift helicopters, this extensive troop deployment had, of necessity, to be by vehicle, using routes known to be sown with IEDs. Dealing with this threat was the challenge faced by Oz Schmid and his team . Working with the 2nd Rifles Battle group, he rendered safe 64 IEDs to allow its deployment on operations with some degree of safety.
後來知道，因為運送部隊的直升機不足，此次軍事擴張，有必要走陸路，選取的路線佈滿了路邊爆炸裝置。排除這個威脅是Oz Schmid和他的小分隊要面臨的一大挑戰。他與第二步槍主力組一同排除了64個IED裝置，在某種程度上保證了主力組擴張部署的安全。
Humorous, tousle-haired, smiling and informal, Schmid was received by the soldiers whose safety was in his hands with the camaraderie only those who have served together in danger can comprehend. Banter, black humour when an IED is found or suspected, then tense silence until all is declared clear.
Schmid幽默風趣，頭髮凌亂，開朗隨和的個性受到了士兵們的歡迎，也保證他們的安全。這種兄弟之情只有共過患難的人才能體會。發現或懷疑路邊爆炸裝置時還嘻嘻哈哈的打趣，一旦確認，他就一下安靜專注下來。
Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Thomson, commanding 2nd Rifles Battle Group, has said: “Staff-Sergeant Oz Schmid was simply the bravest and most courageous man I have ever met. Under relentless IED and small arms attacks he stood taller than the tallest. He opened the 'Pharmacy' road for the battle group to use and 24 hours later found and disarmed 31 IEDs on route 'Sparta'.
領導第二步槍主力組的羅伯特湯姆森中校這樣描述: Olaf Schmid上士是我見過的最勇猛的人。在無情的路邊爆炸裝置和小型武器的威脅下，他站得比巨人還高。他為戰鬥組開闢了一條“救生”之路，24小時後就能在 “斯巴達”路線上發現並排除31個這樣的裝置。
“He saved lives in 2nd Rifles time after time and he will retain a very special place in the heart of every Rifleman in our extraordinary battle group. Superlatives do not do this man justice. Better than the best of the best. Our thoughts and prayers are with his beloved family.”
他一次又一次救過第二步槍主力組成員的性命，他將在我們這個非凡戰鬥團隊成員的心裡佔據極為特殊的地位。無上榮耀都不足以褒獎他，他是人上之人，我們的思念和祝福將永遠圍繞著他鍾愛的家。
On the day following his death, Staff-Sergeant Schmid was due to fly home for two weeks' rest and recuperation in England, after a five-month tour of duty in Helmand province to which he was expected to return later this month.
Olaf Schmid上士陣亡的第二天，他本來是要結束在哈勒曼德省5個月的任務後飛回到英格蘭的家度過2週的恢復假期的。他本來希望11月末再回來的。
In an statement of almost overwhelming compassion, his mother said of the loss of her 30-year-old elder son: “I hope his work will be a contribution to making Afghanistan a safer place for British troops and the Afghan people.”
他的媽媽談起陣亡的30歲的兒子時，感慨萬千：我希望他的工作可以為英國部隊和阿富汗人民的安全做出貢獻。
Truro Cathedral is to host a service of remembrance for the man who was once its head chorister. His funeral will be held in the Winchester area where he lived with his family.
Truro 大教堂將舉行他的紀念彌撒，他曾擔任過那裡唱詩班的班長。他的葬禮將在家鄉溫徹斯特舉行。
He is survived by a younger brother, his wife Christina and stepson Laird. On hearing of her husband's death, his wife said: “Oz was a phenomenal husband and loving father. He exuded confidence and professionalism but was self-effacing and modest, always ready to make fun of himself. He will be impossible to forget.”
他殉職後家中還有一個弟弟，妻子克里斯蒂娜和繼子 Laird. 妻子在得知他的死訊後說：Oz是個了不起的丈夫，有愛心的父親。他表現得信心十足，有專業精神，同時卻又低調謙卑，喜歡自嘲。我會永遠把他放在心間。
Staff-Sergeant Olaf Schmid, Royal Logistic Corps bomb disposal specialist, was born on June 11, 1979. He was killed in action in Afghanistan on October 31, 2009, aged 30
Olaf Schmid上士，皇家後勤部隊排彈專家，生於1979年6月11日。在2009年10月30日阿富汗的一次行動中陣亡，年僅30歲。
RIP.............
轉至泰晤士報
