The remains of a German soldier regarded as the world's greatest ever tank ace have been found in a grave the Czech Republic. The remains of Kurt Knispel - who was the tank warfare equivalent of what the Red Baron was to flight - were found by historians at the Moravian Museum in Vrbovec lying in an unmarked grave for German soldiers at a cemetery in Znojemsko. After completing his apprenticeship in an automobile factory in 1940, Knispel applied to join the armoured branch of the German Army and was sent in to battle aged 20 in 1941. With 168 confirmed and 195 unconfirmed kills Knispel was by far the most successful tank ace of the Second World War, even knocking out a T-34 at 3,000 metres. He fought in virtually every type of German tank as loader, gunner and commander, and was awarded the Iron Cross, First Class, after destroying his fiftieth enemy tank and the Tank Assault Badge in Gold after more than 100 tank battles. Read More: http://www.croatiantimes.com/news/Around_the_World/2013-04-17/32974/TIGER_IN_THE_TANK_-_Historians_Find_Body_Of_German_War_Hero
Can we rely on German records of this man's exploits? I have heard that those were often exaggerated for propaganda purposes.
Son: 'Mornin' mum, Mornin' Dad. There another dead bishop on the landing mum.' Mum: 'Not another one! That's the third one I put out for the dustman this week!' Dad: 'What's 'is diocese?' Mum: 'ow should I know?' Dad: 'It's tatooed onna back o' da neck!'
Valid point, but I doubt that the wartime Germans would talk about how he assaulted an Einsatzgruppen officer. Despite his impressive record, I don't think he was 'propaganda material'.
Otto Carius has another view http://heroesdeguerra.blogspot.com.es/search/label/Otto%20Carius These figures are exaggerated. I came to destroy tanks 100-110, and my numbers were inflated by the German Ministry of Propaganda. Knispel figures? Pure propaganda. I had the opportunity to meet members of his crew in Russia and they themselves admitted that they destroyed no more than 60 or 70 tanks.
