Erich Peter (1919–1987) was a German general in the

National People's Army The National People's Army (, ; NVA ) were the armed forces of the East Germany, German Democratic Republic (DDR) from 1956 until 1990. The NVA was organized into four branches: the (Ground Forces), the (Navy), the (Air Force) and the (Bord ...

. He commanded the

GDR Border Troops East Germany, officially known as the German Democratic Republic (GDR), was a country in Central Europe from Foundation of East Germany, its formation on 7 October 1949 until German reunification, its reunification with West Germany (FRG) on ...

East Germany East Germany, officially known as the German Democratic Republic (GDR), was a country in Central Europe from Foundation of East Germany, its formation on 7 October 1949 until German reunification, its reunification with West Germany (FRG) on ...

, also holding the position of the Deputy Minister of National Defense.

Career

Erich Peter was born in 1919 into a working-class family. He took part in

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, being taken prisoner by the American forces in 1945. Shortly after the end of the war, Peter joined the

Communist Party of Germany The Communist Party of Germany (, ; KPD ) was a major Far-left politics, far-left political party in the Weimar Republic during the interwar period, German resistance to Nazism, underground resistance movement in Nazi Germany, and minor party ...

. In 1948, he joined the

Volkspolizei The (DVP, German for "German People's Police"), commonly known as the or VoPo, was the national uniformed police force of the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) from 1945 to 1990. The Volkspolizei was a highly- centralized agency re ...

, earning promotions in the force and becoming head of a technical school for armored troops in Erfurt. He was educated in the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Soviet Union. Upon graduating in 1956, Peter was transferred to the

. Peter was appointed the chief of the German Border Police in 1960. In 1972, the border troops were separated from the army. This changed the name of Peter's position. He became Deputy Minister of National Defense and Chief of Border Troops. After being promoted to

Colonel General Colonel general is a military rank used in some armies. It is particularly associated with Germany, where historically General officer#Old European system, general officer ranks were one grade lower than in the Commonwealth and the United States, ...

on July 14, 1979, Peter was one of eleven generals to achieve this rank. He retired soon thereafter. Peter died in 1987.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Peter, Erich 1919 births 1987 deaths GDR Border Troops people Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Soviet Union alumni Colonel generals of the National People's Army (Ground Forces) German Army personnel of World War II German police chiefs