Johann Thaler

Who was Johann Thaler?

Johann Thaler was an Oberscharführer, in the Waffen SS during World War II who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. This was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.

Johann Thaler participated in the Battle of Moscow, the capturing of Sevastopol, Rostov-on-Don, Case Blue, the Kharkov Counteroffensives, The Battle of Kursk near Prokhorovka, The Battle of Normandy, The Battle of the Bugle, and the Defense of Vienna. During his years of service he was credited with 12 tank kills and seventeen anti-tank gun kills. His company accompanied Guderian's leading tanks to within fifteen kilometers of Moscow. He was awarded the Iron Cross First Class when he destroyed three enemy tanks in two days at the Battle of Kursk. In 1944, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross when he pulled two of his crew members out of his burning tank, while he suffered moderate burn injuries, earning him the Wound Badge in Gold. In the Battle of the Bugle he led one of the leading formations in Kampfgruppen Peiper. Johann Thaler was killed in Vienna whilst battling Russian units as a tank commander on 7 April 1945.