Johannes Bölter – schwere Panzer-Abteilung 502 (Eichenlaub, Tiger!) (144 Kills!)

Original Very Rare Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo & Letter of Johannes Bölter. Hauptmann Johannes Bölter (29.02.1915 in Mülheim † 16.09.1987 in Mülheim) earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernes Kreuzes on April 16, 1944 as Leutnant and Zugführer in the 1. Kompanie/ schwere Panzer-Abteilung 502 (Tiger) and the Eichenlaub on September 10, 1944 as Leutnant and Führer of the 1. Kompanie/ schwere Panzer-Abteilung 502 (Tiger). He also earned the Panzerkampfabzeichen III. Stufe (Einsatzahl “50”). Postcardsize.

Knight’s Cross awarded for: 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.

Oakleaves awarded for: 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.

Provenance: This signature comes from one of the largest postwar signature collection I’ve ever commissioned. This collection was started by a Waffen-SS Veteran, Werner H., in the 1950’s until he passed away.