Erich Walther


Friedrich Erich Walther was a German paratroop general during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords of Nazi Germany. Walther commanded the Hermann Göring 2nd Parachute Panzer-Grenadier Division in East Prussia. He was promoted to Generalmajor on 30 January 1945. Walther surrendered to the Red Army on 8 May 1945. He died at NKVD Special Camp 2 on 26 December 1948.

World War II

During World War II Walther fought over much of Europe as a paratroop officer.
In April 1940 he participated in the Norwegian Campaign as a captain. In May 1940 Walther participated in the airborne attack in the Netherlands and was promoted to the rank of major. In May 1941 he participated in an airborne attack on the island of Crete. Since September 1941 Walther fought on the eastern front, fighting near Leningrad. In January 1942 he was promoted to a lieutenant colonel. In July 1943 Walther fought on the island of Sicily, later in mainland Italy. In September 1944 Walther became battle group commander, fighting in the south of the Netherlands during operation Market Garden and its aftermath. Mid-October 1944 he became Commander in the Eastern Front, fighting in East Prussia. From January 1945 until he became a Soviet Prisoner of war on May 8 the same year, Walther was ranked Generalmajor.

Awards