He successfully passed the school-leaving examination of the secondary school and joined the National People's Army in 1957 as a volunteer.

Because he performed on this staff position excellent as well, he was delegated to high-school study on the Friedrich Engels Military Academy in Dresden from 1973 to 1975.

The final assignment on general rank from 1989 to 1990 W. Thonke performed as Assistant Commander in Chief A3 of the Air Force in the Kommando LSK/LV in Strausberg.

With the disbandment of the National People's Army, Major General Thonke retired with effective date of October 2, 1990.

Among numerous orders and decorations major general Lothar Engelhardt was awarded with: Dr. Wolfgang Thonke worked as a freelance journalist since 1990 and was member of the Fliegerstammtisch Strausberg.