Tank destruction badge for the rescue of a Panther!

[Wilhelm]

Tank destruction badge for the rescue of a Panther!

I had read a lot about the tank destruction badge, but never knew that it could
also be awarded for the rescue of a friendly tank under fire.

A Wehrmacht mechanic in January 1945 was informed that a Panther
was in no-mans-land under Russian observation, it could not be recovered
due to a defect motor part.

The mechanic got a few men together and moved out at night across the trenches
towards the Panther, he crawled inside the tank with one other, leaving the
other two to stand guard. The part was changed and the motor roared
into action, and with all men on board, raced back to the German lines!
They took some hits from the Russians, but the tank made it safely back
to the German lines.

For this action the tank mechanic and former U-Boat officer*, Rudi Töpfer
was awarded the EKII and the tank destruction badge.
(interesting to imagine a black Panzer uniform with the U-Boat badge!)

* Töpfer had served three years in U-406 and took part in seven missions,
transfered to Panzer troops in October 1944. A "Führer Order"
from September 1944 allowed all members of the Kriegsmarine and Luftwaffe
who had their homes and families in east Germany, to transfer to the Army to protect
their home towns and provences. Most of the Naval and aircrew personnel were given
a three month infantry training before being sent to form a new Panzer Division
in January 1945.

Mit Kameradengruß, Willi.

[Ted]

thanks Willi,

little stories like that always make the most interesting reading for me.

hope you have a lovley Xmas over there, any snow where you are yet ?? just freezing fog where i am
cheers Ted.

[Franz repper]

Thanks Willi that was a top story I love that type of thing

[von bock]

good story it is very interesting that you could recieve the tank destruction badge for rescuing one of your own

[dog green 1]

Great story Bill. Was nice to know the troops got a whole three months combat training before being sent to the front

Anymore such items I'm sure the forum would greatly apprecite.