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Olboeter, Erich Fritz Hermann (Waffen SS)

    Date of birth:
    June 26th, 1917 (Eberswalde/Berlin, Germany)
    Date of death:
    September 2nd, 1944 (Lazarett Charleville-Méziéres, France)
    Service number:
    SS-Nr.: 257.547 // NSDAP-Nr.: 3.601.994
    Nationality:
    German (1933-1945, Third Reich)

    Biography

    Promotions:
    00.00.1937: SS-Junker
    00.00.1938: SS-Standartenjunker
    00.00.1938: SS-Standartenoberjunker
    12.03.1938: SS-Untersturmführer
    00.00.1940: SS-Obersturmführer
    21.06.1942: SS-Hauptsturmführer
    30.01.1944: SS-Sturmbannführer


    Career:
    00.00.1933: joined the NSDAP
    00.09.1934: joined the SS
    01.04.1937-31.01.1938: SS-Junker, 4. Friedens-Junkerlehrgang, SS-Junkerschule Braunschweig
    00.03.1938: SS-Ustuf, SS-Standarte 'Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler'
    00.09.1939: SS-Ustuf, Zugführer, 13. (Panzerjäger) Kompanie, SS-Standarte 'Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler', SS-VT
    00.05.1940: SS-Ustuf, Zugführer, 13. (Panzerjäger) Kompanie, SS-Standarte 'Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler', SS-VT - campaign in France
    00.06.1941: SS-Ostuf, Chef, 15. Kompanie, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1, SS-Division 'Leibstandarte' - Operation Barbarossa
    26.10.1941: SS-Ostuf, Chef, 2. Schwadron, SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 1, LAH - WIA
    27.11.1941: SS-Ostuf, Chef, 2. Schwadron, SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 1, LAH - WIA
    00.00.1943: SS-Hstuf, Führer, 5. schwere Kompanie, SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 1, 1. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division 'Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler'
    00.06.1943: SS-Hstuf, Führer, SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 12, 12. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division 'Hitlerjugend'
    00.02.1944: SS-Hstuf, Führer, III. (gep.) Bataillon, SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 26, 12. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division 'Hitlerjugend'
    00.06.1944: campaign in Normandy
    00.09.1944: severely WIA lost both legs when driving on a landmine planted by the French Resistance near Hirson
    02.09.1944: SS-Stubaf, DOW in Lazarett Charleville

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    Bronzes SA-Sportabzeichen
    DRL Sportabzeichen in Bronze
    Ehrendegen des Reichsführers-SS
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    SS-Untersturmführer (2nd Lieutenant)
    Unit:
    Zugführer, 13. (Panzerjäger) Kompanie, LSSAH, SS-VT
    Awarded on:
    October 2nd, 1940
    Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Bronze
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    SS-Untersturmführer (2nd Lieutenant)
    Unit:
    Zugführer, 13. (Panzerjäger) Kompanie, LSSAH, SS-VT
    Awarded on:
    November 8th, 1940
    his SS file gives 08.11.1939
    Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Awarded on:
    October 2nd, 1941
    Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Silber
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    SS-Obersturmführer (Lieutenant)
    Unit:
    Chef, 2. Schwadron, SS-Panzer-Aufklârungs-Abteilung 1, LAH
    Awarded on:
    March 14th, 1942
    WIA 26.10.1941
    Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Schwarz
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)
    Awarded on:
    July 15th, 1942
    his Deutsches Kreuz recommendation gives 10.07.1942
    Voenen Orden
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)
    Awarded on:
    August 22nd, 1942
    Medaille
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)
    Unit:
    Führer, 5. schwere Kompanie, SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 1, 1. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division 'Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler'
    Awarded on:
    March 22nd, 1943
    WIA 26.10.1941 + 27.11.1941 + 00.03.1943
    Verwundetenabzeichen 1939 in Silber
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    SS-Hauptsturmführer (Captain)
    Unit:
    Führer, 5. schwere Kompanie, SS-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 9, SS-Panzergrenadier-Division 'Hohenstaufen', Waffen-SS
    Awarded on:
    March 21st, 1943

    The "Vorläufiges Besitzzeugnis" dates the awarding on March 26th, 1943.
    based on a recommendation dated 24.02.1942 and signed by Abt. Kdr. Kurt Meyer; approved by Div. Kdr. “Sepp” Dietrich
    Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    SS-Sturmbannführer (Major)
    Unit:
    Führer, SS-Kampfgruppe, 12. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Hitlerjugend"
    Awarded on:
    June 29th, 1944
    Wehrmachtbericht
    In this section, in the battles of the last days, has the 12th SS Panzer Division "Hitler Youth" under the command of SS-Standartenführer Meyer, especially the combat groups of SS-Sturmbannführer Olboetter, have especially distinguished themselves.
    Olboeter’s Knight’s Cross recommendation reads as follows…

    “SS-Sturmbannführer Olboeter has proven himself as a bold and successful leader in all campaigns.

    During the recapture of Kharkov in March 1943 he received the German Cross in Gold as a Kompanie-Führer for his repeated demonstrations of outstanding bravery.

    On the night of the 06.-07.06.1944 SS-Sturmbannführer Olboeter and his SPW Bataillon were deployed to the front, specifically to the village of Brouay (located near the enemy and just south of the Caen-Bayeux road) in order to secure the march route of the Division, which was south of the railroad line that ran parallel to the road. During the course of the 07.06.1944 the enemy attacked the Bataillon in its positions at Brouay with armoured forces. However Olboeter repelled every enemy attack with bitter resistance of his own, holding Brouay as ordered. More than that the forming up and creation of a defensive front on the left wing of the Division was enabled by this action.

    On the 25.06.1944 the enemy succeeded in breaking into Fontenay (east of Tilly) with overwhelming forces. On his own initiative Olboeter immediately rallied the last scant reserves and personally led the counterthrust, charging forward with his men. In bitter combat Olboeter succeeded in cleaning up this penetration. By this a serious breakthrough on the left wing of the Division was prevented.

    On the 26.06.1944 the enemy pushed past Fontenay with two strong armoured wedges, creating a deep penetration and threatening the entire left wing of the Division (SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. 26). An immediate withdrawal was necessary. Despite the far superior strength of the enemy, Olboeter decided to continue to hold onto Fontenay on his own initiative until the Regiment had occupied a new defensive position south of Bretteville.

    In these battles Olboeter was declared to be the ‘Cornerstone of the Division’ (according to a radio message by the divisional commander to the Kampfgruppe) on account of his exemplary bravery and decisive leadership.”

    Vorläufiges Besitzzeugnis was presented on August 2nd, 1944.
    based on a recommendation dated 30.06.1944 and sgined by Div. Kdr. Kurt Meyer; approved by Korps Kom. Gen. "Sepp” Dietrich

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