experimental panzers

gunner training

Major General Dr. med. dent. Franz Bäke (1898-1978), holder of the Knight's Cross with oakleaves and swords. He was called the best German tank battlegroup commander. He did more than 500 tank missions, was shot off 13 times and seven times wounded. Best sign of his bravery: He was wearing three tank destruction badges, meaning he destroyed three enemy tanks single handedly with close combat weapons as a Major General! In 1978 he died from the injuries he suffered by a fatal car accident.