Facts:   - battles: world war i world war ii    - death date: 13 may 1963    - allegiance: german to 1933 -rrb- nazi germany empire -lrb- to 1918 -rrb- weimar republic -lrb-    - commands: 1 . panzer-division    - rank: generalleutnant      - awards: knight 's cross of the iron cross    - birth date: 7 april 1897    - serviceyears: 1914 -- 45    - name: richard koll    - branch: heer    - death place: west berlin , west germany    - birth place: koblenz german empire , rhine province , kingdom of prussia ,   Based on these bullet points, write a short biography describing the life of richard koll .
richard koll -lrb- 7 april 1897 -- 13 may 1963 -rrb- was a highly decorated generalleutnant in the wehrmacht during world war ii who commanded the 1 .panzer-division .he was also a recipient of the knight 's cross of the iron cross .the knight 's cross of the iron cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership .richard koll was captured by british troops in 1945 and was released in 1946 .