Kriegsmarine Koehler, Walther

[army historian]

Signature of Konter Admiral Walther Koehler - retired Dec 1944.

Koehler was recall as a Kapitan Zur See in the Navy of the Third Reich. On 16 April 1941 he was appointed as Commander of Information for the Prize Count of Hamburg. He was next assigned as Reichs-Commissioner of the Prize Court for Berlin-Riga from 23 Jun. 1941 to 31 Mar 1942, at the same time he was the Reichs-Commissioner for the Prize Court of Berlin-Soloniki from 01 Nov. 1941 to 31 Mar. 1942. Kapitan Zur See Walther Koehler was promoted to Konter-Admiral (Rear Admiral), Acting on 01 April 1942. This was a full promotion and not an honorary title. Admiral Koehler was next assigned as Reichs-Commissioner of the Prize Court at Berlin from 01 April 1942 to 01 Mar. 1943. Rear Admiral Koehler served as a Judge for the Prize Court of Hamburg from 01 Mar. 1943 until his retirement from active service on 31 Dec. 1944 at the age 62 (1944 Annual List, and web.genealogie). He returned to his position of “Standing Assessor” of the Upper Sea Office, Berlin from 01 Jan 1945 to 08 May 1945 when the War in Europe ended, and the Third Reich fell.

Walther Koehler was born on 2 September 1882 in Sulau parish, Silesia, Prussia. It appears he came from a Military Family. He joined the Kaiserlich Deutschen Marine (Imperial German Navy, Crew of 1901) on 8 Apr. 1901, at the age of 18 years, as a See Kadett (Sea Cadet). Served with East Asiatic Squadron 28 Nov. 1903 to Mar. 1905 (S.M.S. Hertha), transferred to S.M.S. thetis. Served in East Africa (Maji Maji Rebellion) 26 Sep. 1905 to April 1906. Lieutenant z.S Koehler commanded "Detachment Koehler" during the uprising. Served on various ships. 14 Oct. 1913 assigned as Navigation Officer on S.M.S. Leipzig East Asiatic Squadron. Iron Cross 2nd Class battle of Coronel; and Iron Cross 1st Class battle of the Falklands. Koehler was one of 18 survivors of the Leipzig (Also the ranking survivor). Taken Prisoner 8 Dec. 1914 to Jan. 1918 when interned in Holland. Re entered service in the Navy 21 Dec. 1918. Retired 27 Sep. 1932. Recalled as above in 1941. By Captain George Albert (army historian)

Edited February 28, 2012 by hucks216

[Lutjens]

Hello fellow enthusiasts,

One of  K-Admiral Walther Koehler's Imp German Navy swords is in my possession.  The scabbard is fitted with an unusual device for hanging the sword from the belt.  Probably done for comfort. It is the large version of the Imp Navy sword.
I would be very interested in seeing a copy of any photo where the sword is being carried. Also, if anyone has information other then what is listed in the Hildebrand/Henriot Book "Deutschlands Admirale 1849-1945", or the Ehrenrangliste der Kaiserlichen Marine 1914-1918"  I would be interest as well. 

Thank you

[Kriegsmarine Admiral]

Does anyone have Captain George Albert's (a.k.a. army historian) e-mail? I am trying to contact him.

Thanks