A Nazi Panzer tank has been discovered in a river in Poland, almost eight decades after it sank.
- Local media reported that a comparable model was sold for £13m in Germany two years ago.
After almost 80 years, a Nazi tank that was lost has been recovered from the depths, uncovering the sole remaining Panzer of its type in existence.
In 1945, there was a popular belief among locals in southern Poland that the Nazis left behind numerous tanks while retreating across the Czarna Nida river near Bieleckie Młyny.
In 1990 and 2003, two incomplete Panzers were recovered from the river, confirming the validity of the legends. However, there were ongoing reports suggesting the existence of an additional Panzer.
Now that vehicle has been found too, with history buffs unearthing a unique Bergepanther – a tank that tows tanks – which may be the last of its kind.
According to local media, a similar model sold for €15m (£13m) in Germany two years ago, indicating that the vehicle could have a significant value.
The tank being pulled from the water. History buffs unearthed a unique Bergepanther – a tank that tows tanks – which may be the last of its kind
According to local media, the tank that was pulled onto the shore could potentially be very valuable, as a similar model sold for €15m (£13m) in Germany two years ago.
Michał Kęszycki, technical manager of Panzer Farm – which organised the salvage operation – traced the discovery back 30 years.
He stated that the narrative commences in the early 1990s, when an elderly gentleman revealed to my uncle the location where the automobile had submerged.
The tale goes that there existed a tank that was responsible for towing other tanks.
The elderly man had some knowledge about German tanks and he informed my uncle that it was a Panther tank lacking a turret.
The man was elderly and he merely indicated the location, although not precisely.
A few months ago, we discovered the precise location using a magnetometer.
The rusted tank. Michał Kęszycki, technical manager of Panzer Farm, said: ‘There are only a few existing Bergepanther tanks in the world, but this version is the only one’
The tank being dragged out from the water. The Bergepanther was introduced in 1943 because of the difficulties faced by the Nazis recovering lost tanks
As far as my knowledge goes, the Bergepanther Ausf. D wreck from the Siebert factory is the only one that exists in the world.
There are only a limited number of Bergepanther tanks in existence globally, and this particular version is the sole one.
The introduction of the Bergepanther in 1943 was a response to the challenges encountered by the Nazis in retrieving tanks that had been lost.
Until that moment, they had faced difficulties in retrieving their Panzers using trucks, and other tanks were prohibited from providing assistance to avoid the risk of losing both vehicles.
The Bergepanther, however, boasted a winch capable of pulling even heavier tanks, and sufficient armour to allow it to operate under fire.
According to local historian Konrad Maj, there were a total of five Bergepanthers deployed in the region starting from late 1944. These vehicles were stationed where the Nazis’ 16th Armored Division was positioned, anticipating a potential Soviet assault.
However, in the middle of January 1945, the Germans discovered that they were encircled. In their haste to withdraw, some attempted to cross the Czarna Nida river without locating a bridge.
The lost Nazi tank. Local historian Konrad Maj said there were five such Bergepanthers stationed in the area from late 1944, where the Nazis’ 16th Armored Division was awaiting a Soviet attack
Mr. Maj stated that certain tankers made desperate efforts to cross Czarna Nida in order to escape from this predicament.
‘During one such attempt, the Bergepanther which was recovered sank.
The engineering troops from the Soviet Union stated that the ice on Czarna Nida was only capable of supporting lighter vehicles, making it unsuitable for tanks.
The tank will now be permanently housed at the Polish Army Museum in Warsaw, where it is regarded as an ‘extremely rare’ artifact.
Mr. Kęszycki expressed his disappointment that the Panzer Farm, which serves as both a museum and a company specializing in vehicle restoration, would not be able to retain the object they found.
He described the recovery as a surreal experience.
He stated that this particular form of recuperation validates certain historical communications that have been passed down among several generations of the local community. It is yet another confirmation of a longstanding legend.
It also provides a unique chance to gain access to the patterns of the components of this uncommon vehicle.
Panzer Farm provides updates on its restorations through Facebook and its official website.
