Die Panzerknacker - the holders of the tank destruction badge
Re: Die Panzerknacker- the holders of the tank destruction badge
The second is a face I recognise, but can't find my reference. It looks like this Oberfeldwebel has Oak-Leaves with his Knights cross, a Kuban Shield and 2 PVA's. I found 3 Oberfeldwebel's on the internet with Oak-leaves, but none fit the bill. Does anyone know who this is?
Re: Die Panzerknacker- the holders of the tank destruction badge
Oberfeldwebel Johann Schwerdtfeger
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Re: Die Panzerknacker- the holders of the tank destruction badge
From ‘Mortar Gunner on the Eastern Front, volume 2’, the memoirs of Dr. Hans Heinz Rehfeldt (pps 287-288):
16 March 1945
“The artillery lieutenant took the first (Panzerfaust) and took the tank in its sights. I advised him, ‘Aim at the turret neck!’ He fired. The rocket flew a few centimetres above the turret and hit the ground well beyond the target. Now I had the second weapon. I raised the sight -aimed -fired. The rocket hit the base of the turret.
There was a sound like a metal can hitting a wall and no explosion. Ivan must have seen the smoke from the discharge and the turret turned towards us. The two of us grabbed for the third Panzerfaust, I got there first, leapt to the corner of the house and almost looked down the barrel of the cannon! Eyes closed, pressed the trigger, then a tremendous explosion. ‘He’s burning, let’s go!’ Shouted the lieutenant and made off to the rear, along the railway tracks, in long leaps. I saw men running in all directions and shouted down into the cellar, ‘Out! Out! Ivan is here!’ Then I took off after the lieutenant as fast as I could. My messenger Hühnchen set off for Poplitten to the firing position pursued by the big St. Bernard. I never saw either of them again. The enemy tanks continued to fire at Poplitten and Pörschken. When I caught up to the lieutenant he said to me, ‘I credit you with destroying the tank, give me your name and unit!’
I had more urgent things to do just then, like finding cover and then getting to my platoon as quickly as possible. I could already see them. As for the lieutenant, I have no further information……”
16 March 1945
“The artillery lieutenant took the first (Panzerfaust) and took the tank in its sights. I advised him, ‘Aim at the turret neck!’ He fired. The rocket flew a few centimetres above the turret and hit the ground well beyond the target. Now I had the second weapon. I raised the sight -aimed -fired. The rocket hit the base of the turret.
There was a sound like a metal can hitting a wall and no explosion. Ivan must have seen the smoke from the discharge and the turret turned towards us. The two of us grabbed for the third Panzerfaust, I got there first, leapt to the corner of the house and almost looked down the barrel of the cannon! Eyes closed, pressed the trigger, then a tremendous explosion. ‘He’s burning, let’s go!’ Shouted the lieutenant and made off to the rear, along the railway tracks, in long leaps. I saw men running in all directions and shouted down into the cellar, ‘Out! Out! Ivan is here!’ Then I took off after the lieutenant as fast as I could. My messenger Hühnchen set off for Poplitten to the firing position pursued by the big St. Bernard. I never saw either of them again. The enemy tanks continued to fire at Poplitten and Pörschken. When I caught up to the lieutenant he said to me, ‘I credit you with destroying the tank, give me your name and unit!’
I had more urgent things to do just then, like finding cover and then getting to my platoon as quickly as possible. I could already see them. As for the lieutenant, I have no further information……”
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Re: Die Panzerknacker- the holders of the tank destruction badge
Do we have Gerhard Boldt?
Halfdan S.
RegardsHalfdan S.
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