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Bölter, Johannes

Date of birth:
February 29th, 1915 (Mülheim/North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany)
Date of death:
September 16th, 1987 (Mülheim/North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany)
Nationality:
German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

Biography

In service from April 1st 1933.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Unteroffizier
Awarded on:
April 1st, 1937
Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 4.Klasse, 4 Jahre
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Feldwebel
Awarded on:
September 30th, 1939
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Feldwebel
Awarded on:
June 26th, 1940
Panzerkampfabzeichen (ohne Zahl)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Feldwebel
Awarded on:
July 2nd, 1940
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Feldwebel
Awarded on:
July 15th, 1940
Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberfeldwebel
Awarded on:
February 8th, 1943
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Silber
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Oberfeldwebel (Warrant Officer)
Unit:
1./Schwere Panzer-Abteilung 502
Awarded on:
March 29th, 1943

Award 339/9.
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)
Unit:
Zugführer 1. / schwere Panzer-Abteilung 502 / 8.Jäger-Division / XXVIII.Armee-Korps / 18.Armee / Heeresgruppe Nord
Awarded on:
April 16th, 1944
On the 07.04.1944 Bölter and another Tiger tank of his unit destroyed 22 Soviet tanks in the area south of Pskov, a total of which Bölter was personally responsible for 15. After taking on additional ammunition he went on to destroy 2 artillery pieces and 2 anti-tank guns. By doing this he and his comrade prevented a penetration into the German frontline and provided major relief to the hard-pressed 8. Jäger-Division.

Bölter would receive the Knight’s Cross for this action as well as his personal total of 89 tanks destroyed.

2969th Award.
Submitted on April 11th 1944.
Preliminary document end decoration on April 24th to Heeresgruppe Nord.
Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)
Unit:
1. / schwere Panzer-Abteilung 502
Awarded on:
July 15th, 1944
Panzerkampfabzeichen II Stufe
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant (2nd Lieutenant)
Awarded on:
August 3rd, 1944
Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Gold
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant
Unit:
1. / schwere Panzer-Abteilung 502
Awarded on:
September 1st, 1944
Panzerkampfabzeichen III Stufe
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Leutnant (Second-lieutenant)
Unit:
Führer 1. / schwere Panzer-Abteilung 502 / 81.Infanterie-Division / I.Armee-Korps / 16.Armee / Heeresgruppe Nord
Awarded on:
September 10th, 1944
Awarded for his actions south of Riga in the middle of August 1944. Bölter found himself in combat along the Memel river with 5 Tigers and 50 Grenadiers. However here they were only able to contain a Soviet bridgehead. On the next day Bölter spotted a Soviet tank assembly area and thrust into the Soviet forces as they were advancing on his own initiative despite the lack of infantry support. While doing so he destroyed 4 tanks (his 92nd-95th kills), 7 anti-tank guns and a battalion of 300 infantry. This stopped the hostile attack before it got started. Leutnant Bölter was then wounded on the following day for the 7th time during the war.

581st Award.
Submitted on September 6th 1944.
Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub

Sources

Photo