Kurt Knispel, a tank ace with 168-195 kills found in CZ

[Jan S]

Hello guys,

I think you have to see this (also posted at Erkennungsmarken section)

Historici na

A body of tank ace Kurt Knispel was recently found in Vrbovec near Znojmo. He was born in Salisfeld (Salisov). IN 1938 he became German and later entered into WH. He was able to hit moving tank at 2.000mts, standing one at 3.000mts!
There are two versions of his death - first (according to diary of commander of 503. Abt. of heavy tanks Hauptmann von Diest-Körbera) says „…In 30. April 1945 between Nová Ves and Vlasatice we knocked off several russian attack and destroyed 10 russian tanks. Unfortunately we lost 2 Konigstigers with their commnaders – Feldwebel Knispel and Feldwebel Skoda.“ (this name sounds Czech).
Second version (told by another soldier from the same unit) says "Urbau (Vrbovec) is a funeral place of tank ace Kurt Knispel, who was wounded in 29. April 1945 near Stronsdorf and died at Feld Lazzaret in Urbau. He was burried there at local cemetery.

Jan

[Paul D]

Very interesting Jan , as i don't read Czech can anyone confirm that this is actually the Tag of Knispel , has it been verified as such by the Volksbund etc ??

[pitfighter]

It is good to know someone is recording and researching the names on dog-tags that are found.

great info.

Thanks for sharing,

Pit.

[Paul D]

It is good to know someone is recording and researching the names on dog-tags that are found.

great info.

Thanks for sharing,

Pit.

Unfortunately it is not that easy as even when the EK details are given to the Volksbund they only confirm the locationa and date of death of the owner of the tag , not the name or other details associated with it , which is why i am asking how they know this is Knispels tag ? It could be someone somewhere has his soldbuch with the EK number it in or it has been obtained via WaSt etc but the name will not have come from the war graves !!

[Jerry B]

Google translate gives this, though does not state how they know they were his dog tag.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Moravian Museum historians with their German colleagues have made a remarkable discovery. Identified with certainty remains a top German Wehrmacht tank gunner Kurt Knispel and other soldiers. The graves are located in Vrbovec in Znojmo. Law's spokesperson announced the museum Hais.

The site archaeologists worked from Monday, the Germans were looking specifically just Knispel.

"On the site of today's apple orchard was buried a total of 20 soldiers. Archaeologists had believed that Knispelovy remains found, his body was discovered twelfth. The identification plate in his neck, "she said Pánková.

[Paul D]

Thanks Jerry

[Jan S]

Jerry B, ye are pretty quick ;-)
Yes, it is confirmed, they identified him through his Erkennungsmarke.

[Jerry B]

Jerry B, ye are pretty quick ;-)
Yes, it is confirmed, they identified him through his Erkennungsmarke.

Did they have his stammroll number (as Paul asked) from his Soldbuch or Wehrpass to compare against the number on the Erkennungsmarke?

[Jan S]

Did they have his stammroll number (as Paul asked) from his Soldbuch or Wehrpass to compare against the number on the Erkennungsmarke?

As I understand from context it was confirmed directly by Deutsche Dienstelle...

[CARL]

(Feldwebel) Škoda is indeed a Czech name. It is the name of the well known vehicle manufacturer, widely mispronounced as "S-code-a". It should be pronounced "Shhko-da". The word is also used in a popular phrase, "to je Škoda", which translates as "it's a pity". Thank you for bringing this to our attention Jan, it is certainly interesting.

Regards,

Carl