Kurt Knispel..Tank ace No.1

**zwerge** · 09-25-2008, 03:44 PM

Knispel was the leading tank ace of the panzer army.He had 168 confirmed kills.He was KIA on the eastern front.He was never awarded the Ritterkreuz .He was a sudeten Czech and I guess he wasn`t as photogenic as Michael Wittmann,nor was he Waffen SS. He served in s.Pz.Abt503 in Tiger 1 and Tiger 2 tanks.

**packin9** · 09-25-2008, 08:00 PM

I hadn't heard of before. But like you stated, he wasn't perhaps as famous as M.W. He did a bang up job anyway. Thanks for the pics and info.

**ostlanddigger** · 09-25-2008, 08:14 PM

hi was great soldier and good comrade.his count is-168 enemy tanks,etc.died 29 april 1945y.-...........Walhalla

**Paul D** · 09-25-2008, 10:39 PM

Haven't ever seen a satisfactory explanation as to why Knispel never recieved the RK, some people just don't get what they deserve,

regards

Paul

**Dimas** · 09-26-2008, 10:04 AM

Absolutely the same as in the Red Army too. If you are not have the poster-face, and do not apply the political games- you will be never a famous persone

**wfrad** · 09-26-2008, 10:21 PM

One exception to the rule was Field Marshal Wolseley 1833-1913. A shop keepers son who through talent and intelligence overcame the Victorian class system.

**zwerge** · 01-04-2009, 05:18 PM

A picture of Knispel in a King Tiger showing his German cross.

Wuerstenfuchs · 01-04-2009, 05:33 PM

Maybe somebody ought to petition the German Govt. to award the RK posthumously! Can that be done? 168 destroyed tanks he should get the EL und S, too! Petition, anyone?

**texasuberalles** · 01-04-2009, 05:52 PM

by zwerge

Knispel was the leading tank ace of the panzer army. He was never awarded the Ritterkreuz.

Is there a reason he wasn't awarded the RK?
It can't be because of his heritage as other VolksDeutch were awarded the RK, right?

**Paul D** · 01-04-2009, 06:46 PM

Volksdeutsch , Foreign Volunteers, Romanians etc were all awarded the Ritterkreuz so why Knispel didn't get it remains a mystery , it's possible that his face just didn't fit , maybe he was a guy who didn't follow orders or respect authority very much and just went his own way !!

That said others like that ie Remy Schrynen still received the RK and he did get the DKiG so !!