When the German fleet surrendered to the British he commanded a squadron of torpedo boats, with this he partook in the Scuttling of the German fleet in Scapa Flow, after which he was taken prisoner by the British.

[1] After being released Schniewind continued to serve in the Marinebrigade Ehrhardt and later the Reichsmarine.

From 1925 to 1926 he served as adjutant to the Minister of War Otto Gessler.

On 30 July 1944, Schniewind was relieved of command and for the duration of the war he saw no further employment.

[1] After the War he was arrested and prosecuted during the High Command Trial for his role in the invasion of Norway (Operation Weserübung) but he was acquitted, after which he was released from captivity.