Johannes Bölter | |
---|---|
Born | 19 February 1915 Mülheim an der Ruhr, Kingdom of Prussia |
Died | 16 September 1987 Mülheim an der Ruhr, West Germany |
(aged 72)
Allegiance | Nazi Germany |
Service/branch | Heer |
Years of service | 1933 – 1945 |
Rank | Hauptmann |
Unit | schwere Panzer-Abteilung 502 |
Battles/wars | |
Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves |
Hauptmann Johannes Bölter (born February 19, 1915 in Mülheim an der Ruhr, North Rhine-Westphalia, died September 16, 1987 in Mülheim an der Ruhr) was a German Heer tank commander during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.
Johannes Bölter destroyed 139 tanks (some sources place his score as high as 144) during World War II. Together with Kurt Knispel, Otto Carius, Ernst Barkmann and Michael Wittmann he is considered to be one of the most successful tank commanders in history.