During Battle for Festung Posen (Fortress Poznan) both German and Soviet units deployed their AFV, even though urban warfare is a nightmare for tanks and SPGs. Many of them were destroyed by either infantry or other vehicles (like four Soviet tanks, at least two of them IS-2, blasted by Tiger tank, the only one in Poznan, on Kaponiera Roundabout). Many wrecks were photographed and because of distinctive structures in the background we can determine where were they hit.

The Germans had very small number of tanks: one Tiger (its story was described by Richard Siegert, the gunner, in "The Tiger of Poznan" book), one Panzer IV and two Panther, of which was only sent to Poznan for reparation. Including all the assault guns (StuG), Poznan defenders could only depend on as little as 30 armoured vehicles.

This Panther tank met its final fate in Wilda district, near the market square and the Queen Mary's Church (Kościół Maryi Królowej). Commanded by Hauptmann Wolfgang von Malotki, its first mission (with incomplete crew) was to destroy the water tower, where the artillery observers were hiding. During this action the Panther was backed up by Siegert's Tiger. They succeeded in destroying the tower (which has never been rebuilt and still stands with top of it ripped by 75 mm shell). The Soviet artillery managed to break the track, but the crew replaced it under heavy fire and pulled back. At the same time the Tiger's gear box broke, but Siegert managed to change the gear manually in the engine compartement. The two tanks retreated, having fulfilled their mission.

On January 27th the Panther rolled to the Łęgi Dębińskie, near the crossroads of Hetmańska and Droga Dębińska streets*. It led the formation of 13 assault guns. Suddenly the Soviet guns shelled the Łęgi. One of the guns rolled near the Panther and fired at it from minimum distance - no less than 15 m. The Soviets claimed that the tank was destroyed, and the crew killed. In fact, von Malotki's Panther once again retreated and survived. They were towed back to safety, again by their fellow Tiger tank.

Then the Panther was placed near the crossroads in Wilda (with the crew of 3), so any Soviet tank could be blasted to pieces before noticing Panther is here. Unable to approach the tank, the Soviets were given a hand by Polish citizen, who led them through the narrow streets and allowed to shoot the Panther. But when the Soviets finally approached the tank, there was no one inside, dead nor alive. The crew managed to escape the tank. The Panther was disarmed by the Soviets, who found out it wasn't very damaged and was still in running order. The 122 mm shell from the IS-2 must have bounced off the armour, scaring the crew enough to escape, but not enough to pierce the armour.

The Panther was taken to the Ground Forces Training Centre's proving ground in Biedrusko, north of Poznan, and used for several years. It was then sent to Olsztyn for repairs, but during the transport the unsecured turret rotated and clipped several power lines. It was then decided to scrap the tank. The only pieces left are one of the spare wheels, the muzzle break and two wheels with axis, turned into a bench in GFTC ([link]). It's too bad it was never considered to give it to museum, but the communist authorities denied any German equippment to be placed on public display - only the Soviet made vehicles could be found in museums.

Hauptmann Wolfgang von Malotki survived the siege of Festung Posen and was carried to Germany by Ju-52 after he was hit in his leg. He died on July 12th 2002, never revealing the names of his fellow crewmen.


* current names are used to help people in looking for the streets, in case they are interested.