A lost Nazi tank has been dragged from its watery grave after almost 80 years, revealing the only remaining armor of its kind in the world.
For decades, local legend said that in 1945 the Nazis lost several tanks as they retreated across the Czarna Nida River near Bieleckie Młyny, southern Poland.
The legends proved to be true when two incomplete tanks were towed from the river in 1990 and 2003 respectively, but there were still reports that one was still there.
Now that vehicle has also been found and history buffs have unearthed a unique Bergepanther – a tank that tows tanks – that may be the last of its kind.
And the vehicle could be worth a fortune, as a similar model fetched €15 million in Germany two years ago, according to local media.
The tank is pulled out of the water. History buffs have unearthed a unique Bergepanther – a tank that tows tanks – that may be the last of its kind
The tank after it was towed to shore. The vehicle could be worth a fortune, with a similar model fetching €15 million in Germany two years ago, according to local media
Michał Kęszycki, technical manager of Panzer Farm – who organized the recovery operation – traced the discovery back thirty years.
He said: “The story starts in the early 1990s when an old man showed my uncle the place where the vehicle sank.
‘The story was that there was a tank that pulled other tanks.
‘The old man knew something about German tanks and he told my uncle that it was a Panther tank without a turret.
‘The man was old and he only showed the place, but not exactly.
“A few months ago we found the exact spot with 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 is towed out of the water. The Bergepanther was introduced in 1943 due to the difficulties the Nazis faced in recovering lost tanks
He continued: ‘The wreck of the Bergepanther Ausf. D from the Siebert factory is the only one that exists in the world – as far as I know.
“There are only a few existing Bergepanther tanks in the world, but this version is the only one.”
The Bergepanther was introduced in 1943 due to the difficulties the Nazis faced in recovering lost tanks.
Up to that point they had had difficulty recovering their armor with trucks, and other tanks were not allowed to assist or both vehicles would be lost.
However, the Bergepanther had a winch that could pull even heavier tanks, and sufficient armor to operate under fire.
Local historian Konrad Maj said that as of late 1944, five such Bergepanthers were stationed in the area, where the Nazi 16th Panzer Division waited for a Soviet attack.
But by mid-January 1945 the Germans were surrounded, and in the haste to withdraw, some tried to cross the Tzarna Nida without finding a bridge.
The lost Nazi tank. Local historian Konrad Maj said that from late 1944, five such Bergepanthers were stationed in the area, where the Nazi 16th Panzer Division waited for a Soviet attack.
Mr Maj said: ‘In desperate attempts to get out of this trap, some tankers tried to ford Czarna Nida.
‘During such an attempt the salvaged Bergepanther sank.
‘Soviet technical forces reported that the ice on Czarna Nida allowed only lighter vehicles to cross – it was not suitable for tanks.’
The tank will now reside in the Polish Military Museum in Warsaw, which called the vehicle an “absolute rarity.”
Mr Kęszycki regretted that the Panzer Farm, a museum and vehicle restoration company, would not be able to preserve his discovery.
However, he said the recovery itself was a “dream experience.”
He said: ‘This kind of recovery proves some of the historic messages passed down through generations of local people – another legend has come true!
‘It also provides a rare opportunity to access the patterns of the parts of this rare vehicle.’
Panzer Farm shares updates on its restorations via Facebook and its website.