Bio of Hauptmann Andreas Thaler (1915-1988)

Andreas Thaler

Date of Birth: 10.06.1915 - Geitau near Bayrischzell, Bayern (German Empire)
Date of Death: 17.05.1988 - Eching am Ammersee, Bayern (West Germany)

Promotions:
00.00.194_ Hauptmann

Career:
00.00.1937 Kraftfahrabteilung 7 in Bamberg
00.00.194_ Führer II.Abteilung / Panzer-Regiment 25 / 7.Panzer-Division

Awards and Decorations:
24.05.1940 Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse
00.00.1942 Medaille "Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42" (Ostmedaille)
00.00.194_ Panzerkampfabzeichen
00.00.194_ Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz
00.00.194_ Verwundetenabzeichen in Silber
15.07.1943 Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse
13.01.1944 Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, as Hauptmann and Chef 8.Kompanie / II.Abteilung / Panzer-Regiment 25 / 7.Panzer-Division

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Andreas Thaler was born in Geitau near Bayrischzell on June 10th, 1915 into an old farming family.
In 1929 he was a shepherd on the Gsen Alm. In 1930 he began an apprenticeship as an electrician in Munich. In 1937 his career in the Wehrmacht began in Kraftfahrabteilung 7 in Bamberg. Eventually he became Hauptmann in Panzer-Regiment 25 / 7.Panzer-Division. He destroyed 7 Russian tanks with his Panther and was awarded the Knight's Cross on January 13, 1944. Other awards: Panzer Assault Badge, Wound Badge in silver, Ostmedallie, EK1, EK2. He was wounded on 8 September 1943 and remained in Germany afterwards, so defenitely no Panther action with Pz.Rgt. 25, leading to his Ritterkreuz. He just returned to the frontline in mid-February 1945 as Kommandeur I./Pz.Rgt. 25. He survived the war and became a taxi driver in Munich, then he went to the CSU. He divorced with his wife. In 1988 he died under mysterious circumstances.

Andreas Thaler being awarded the Ritterkreuz by Adelbert Schulz.

Source :
Jim Haley photo collection
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2414261#p2414261
https://www.forum-der-wehrmacht.de/index.php?thread/42179-erg%C3%A4nzung-ritterkreuztr%C3%A4ger-andreas-thaler/
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/36275/Thaler-Andreas.htm