The body of Kurt Knispel has been found!

[Sepp45]

Interesting news!

The body of Feldwebel Kurt Knispel, highest scoring tank ace of World War II, has been found in a mass grave in Vrbovec today. His remains were identified by his ID tag.

Location of Vrbovec, Czech republic: http://www.mapy.cz/#x=16.125249&y=48...=muni_5898_0_1

Photo gallery of the recovery: http://www.denik.cz/galerie/hroby-vo...t-knispel.html

The digging as reported by a local newspaper: http://www.lidovky.cz/historici-na-z...55827_lide_ape

Rest in peace, warrior

Regards,
Sepp.

[Nordfront]

"Though he was recommended for it four times, Knispel never received the coveted Knight's Cross, a standard award for most other World War II German tank aces. Unlike some other commanders, Knispel was not consumed by the pursuit of decorations and did not suffer from a "sore throat", Heer slang for those who lusted after the Knight's Cross. When there were conflicting claims for a destroyed enemy tank, Knispel always stepped back, always willing to credit success to someone else.<sup class="Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">"
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"Knispel's slow promotion is attributed to several conflicts with higher Nazi authorities (for instance, he assaulted an Einsatztruppen officer whom he saw mistreating Soviet POWs) and general lack of military bearing, sporting a goatee and hair longer than regulations. Only his impressive track-record saved him from ending up in a military prison"

[Robert Jones]

With 168 confirmed (possibly as high as 195) kills,[1] Knispel was by far the most successful tanker of the Second World War[1] and is even credited with knocking out a T-34 at 3,000 metres (3,300 yd). He fought in virtually every type of German tank as loader, gunner and commander. He 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. When Knispel had destroyed 126 enemy tanks (with another 20 unconfirmed kills), he was awarded the German Cross in Gold. He became the only non-commissioned officer of the German tank arm to be named in a Wehrmacht communique. As commander of a Tiger I and then a Tiger II, Knispel destroyed another 42 enemy tanks.
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Oberfeldwebel Kurt Knispel Koenigstiger.jpg

20 September 1921 – 28 April 1945

Iron Cross (1939) 1st and 2nd Class
Panzer Badge (silver)
German Cross in Gold on 20 May 1944 as Unteroffizier in the 1./schwere Panzer-Abteilung 503[3]
Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht on 25 April 1944

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[petopoint]

Finally at Rest

Hopefully any remaining family members can finally gain some solace and a dignified burial results from his exhumation.

[jmark]

Wow, incredible story! Lucky the Volksbund was in charge of this dig and not a greedy digger armed with a metal detector.

Jason

[Eric JB]

Sepp,

Thanks for posting this !

Best regards

Eric-Jan

[WalterB]

"Though he was recommended for it four times, Knispel never received the coveted Knight's Cross, a standard award for most other World War II German tank aces. Unlike some other commanders, Knispel was not consumed by the pursuit of decorations and did not suffer from a "sore throat", Heer slang for those who lusted after the Knight's Cross. When there were conflicting claims for a destroyed enemy tank, Knispel always stepped back, always willing to credit success to someone else.<SUP style="WHITE-SPACE: nowrap" class=Template-Fact>"
</SUP>
"Knispel's slow promotion is attributed to several conflicts with higher Nazi authorities (for instance, he assaulted an Einsatztruppen officer whom he saw mistreating Soviet POWs) and general lack of military bearing, sporting a goatee and hair longer than regulations. Only his impressive track-record saved him from ending up in a military prison"

He sounds like he was a very honorable man. May he rest in peace.

[Cole Bush]

an honorable and sad man, so i don't believe that all RK winners are heroes!!!
thanks Sepp!! good news!!
do his award documents remain from the war?

[Mart90]

Exciting news!

I wonder where his body will be moved to?

[Van]

Yes thanks for posting, I wish there was an English conversion of the reports, I would really like to read the reports... That picture of him with long hair and beard is really a great pic of him.
Van

[wehrpasswilly]

This guy surely must have received one of the numbered PAB awards??

[jujuy]

If you look at the report paper it is dated 2009 and the newspaper 2013

[Pepe77]

He will be buried in the Central military cementary in Brno. There must be a german section I guess.

Interesting fact is that there were no personal belongings with them since soldiers were first treated in a field lazaret nearby the burial place.

Exciting news!

I wonder where his body will be moved to?

[Glowlight]

Very interesting! I can't believe he never received the KC when others were awarded for supervising a group that saw some success. Anyone know the facts surrounding his death?

[Van]

If it were not for the panzer tunic one would think he was a U-boater...