| Erich Olboeter | |
|---|---|
| Born | 26 July 1917 Eberswalde near Berlin, Germany |
| Died | 2 September 1944 from wounds Hirson, France |
| Allegiance | Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch | Waffen-SS |
| Years of service | 1934–1944 |
| Rank | Sturmbannführer |
| Unit | 1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Iron Cross I Class Iron Cross II Class German Cross in Gold Eastern Front Medal Infantry Assault Badge Wound Badge in Silver |
Erich Olboeter (26 July 1917 — 2 September 1944) was a Sturmbannführer (Major) in the Waffen-SS during World War II, who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.
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Erich Olboeter was born on the 26 July 1917, in Eberswalde near Berlin. He joined the NSDAP aged sixteen in 1933 (party number 3 601 994). He later volunteered to join the SS-VT in September 1934. He was selected to become an officer and posted to the SS-Junkerschule in 1937, and upon graduation was promoted to Untersturmführer (Second Lieutenant) in March 1938 and posted to the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler Regiment.[1][2]
During World War II, Olboeter was in the 13th Panzerjäger company under the command of Kurt Meyer (Olboeter was a protege of Kurt Meyer and served under his direct command for most of the war). He was awarded his first combat decorations during the Battle of France; the Infantry Assault Badge and the Iron Cross II class in 1940.[1][2] He was given command of the 15th Company, 1st SS Panzergrenader Regiment, LSSAH in 1941 at the start of Operation Barbarossa the invasion of the Soviet Union and was awarded the Iron Cross I class while in command.[1][2] In March 1943, he was awarded the Wound Badge in Silver and the German Cross in Gold in 1943 while in command of the 5th (Heavy) Company, 1st SS Panzer Reconnaissance Battalion.[2] He was then posted to the newly formed SS Division in July 1943, 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend initially in command of the 12th SS Panzer Reconnaissance Battalion but was moved to command the III.(Armoured) Battalion, 26th SS Panzergrenadier Regiment. He was awarded the Knight's Cross during the Battle of Normandy in July 1944.[1][2]
Olboeter did not survive the war but was killed in action near Hirson, France when he drove over a Land mine planted by the French Resistance and died soon after in hospital, on the 2 September 1944.[1][2]