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Wöhler, Otto

Date of birth:
July 12th, 1894 (Großburgweldel/Hannover, Germany)
Date of death:
February 5th, 1987 (Großburgweldel/Hannover, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberst i.G.
Unit:
Generalstab Armeeoberkommando 11
Awarded on:
January 26th, 1942
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
General der Infanterie (Lieutenant-General of Infantry)
Unit:
Kommandierender General I.Armeekommando
Awarded on:
August 14th, 1943
Wöhler was awarded the Knight's Cross for his successful leadership during the 3rd Battle south of Lake Ladoga in mid-1943. In the time period 22.07.-06.08.1943 his Korps defeated the assaults of the Soviet 8th and 67th Armies, and Wöhler was recognized appropriately for his role in this.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
General der Infanterie (Lieutenant-General of Infantry)
Unit:
Oberbefehlshaber 8.Armee
Awarded on:
November 28th, 1944
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub
Wöhler received the Oakleaves for the leadership of his 8. Armee and subordinated Axis armies during 1944. Specifically for the following actions...

1. Defeating the Soviet attempts in the spring of 1944 to break into Romania. The Wehrmachtbericht of the 18.05.1944 reported this battle as follows...

"The defensive battle between Prut and Moldavia that started on the 26.04.1944 has reached its conclusion. The attempted breakthrough by the Bolsheviks with 20 rifle and several tank divisions failed because of the tenacious and dogged defense of the German and Rumanian troops under the command of General von Wöhler, who were excellently supported by the German and Romanian Air Forces in a show of exemplary comradeship. The enemy suffered heavy personnel losses as well as material losses of 386 tanks, 92 guns and 100 aircraft. "

2. His troops' role in blunting the Soviet drive into Hungary at Debrecen in October 1944, as detailed by the Wehrmachtbericht of 30.10.1944...

"In the area of Debrecen German and Hungarian troops have been under the command of the General of the Infantry Wöhler... In three weeks of fighting, strong enemy forces were defeated and thus prevented from achieving their envisaged encirclement of the German and Hungarian formations in southeastern Hungary... 793 enemy tanks and assault guns were destroyed or captured as well as 1010 guns of all kinds, nearly 2000 vehicles and large quantities of other weapons and equipment."

671st Award
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
September 29th, 1914
Eisernes Kreuz 2.Klasse (1914)
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Awarded on:
September 17th, 1916
Eisernes Kreuz 1.Klasse (1914)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
September 19th, 1939
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 2er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 4th, 1939
1939 Spange zum Eisernes Kreuz 1er Klasse 1914
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
August 12th, 1943
In the third battle south of Lake Ladoga have German troops standing under the command of Field Marshal Küchler, Colonel General Lindemann and General of Infantry Wöhler, supported by Air Force organizations led by the Luftwaffe General Korten, in the period of 22 July to 6 August heroically thwarted the assault of the 8th and 67th Soviet army and prevented the breakthrough intentions of the enemy.
Wehrmachtbericht
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
May 8th, 1944
The break through attempt of 20 infantry and several armored Bolsheviks divisions failed due to the tenacious and fierce defense of the under the command of General of the Infantry Wöhler subordinated German and Romanian troops, who were well assisted in exemplary weapons camaraderie by units of the German and Romanian Air Force.
Wehrmachtbericht
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 30th, 1944
In the area of Debrecen, German and Hungarian troops under the command of General of Infantry Wöhler and the General of Artillery Fretter-Pico in three weeks of fighting defeated strong enemy forces and hindered the enemy intended encirclement of the in South Eastern part of Hungary standing German and Hungarian units.
Wehrmachtbericht

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