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Post by Registrar on Nov 15, 2014 14:35:02 GMT 8
Bulgaria’ s army has began to dig out its vintage WW2 tanks, in order to protect them from looters. A number of Panzer IV tanks, equipped with Maybach engines and buried as stationary guns, have already been moved to a secure military base. All WW2 tanks will be in a safe place before the end of February but it is unclear what their future will be. There are few tanks of the same type in the world still outside the military museums and robbers could make a good profit by selling tank parts to collectors. Recently authorities nailed two Germans and a Bulgarian army major over stealing a whole Panzer IV tank. After that there was a probe over a stolen turret of a vintage tank.
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Post by okla on Nov 16, 2014 5:31:34 GMT 8
Hey Registrar....I may have posted this little "tidbit" previously, if I have, it was a long time ago, but will hang it out there just in case I hadn't. At 82 years I am getting to the point where I can give details of an event 60 years ago, but can't remember where I parked my car this morning. Anyhow, I will spin this yarn for any newcomers to the Forum. Way back in the 1950s I knew this guy who was with some Infantry Division assigned to the American Occupation Zone of Germany. During some training exercise his little unit (squad, platoon, etc) was looking for a concealed little nook whereas to "goof off", out of sight of their Superior Officers. They happened upon this German farm and decided to hide out in a barn. Upon entering said structure for their hoped for "siesta", etc, they found themselves peering down the muzzle of the ordnance on a WW 2 Tiger tank. The German farmer said that it had been sitting, hidden, in his barn since 1945. It's crew, apparently, baled out, leaving the area on foot as the American forces approached. He never reported it to the Occupation Authorities, fearing some type of retribution from the newcomers to the Fatherland. My friend and his buddies went on their way after a while. They didn't report it to their Officers figuring they would be put on report for dodging the training exercise. The whole outfit returned to their home base, many miles away and to their knowledge that Tiger is still sitting in the shadows of that rural barn. I found this little story very intriguing. That once fearsome machine would be highly prized by many folks, I would think. Cheers.
(Okla, I cannot recall seeing your story before, and it is a perfect doozy! No loose ends, and leaves us with something to dream about! Break out the maps, we're heading for Germany!! Speaking about "barn finds", I know a barn on the outskirts of Wichita with two BT-11's. The owner is a WWII veteran who restored one of them, but didn't quite get to the stage where he re-hung the motor. Anyone who wants to acquire the aircraft can contact me, and I will "introduce". Love aircraft as I do, I think a Tiger would be more fun! - Registrar)
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