‘It’s Worth a Fortune’: Missing Bergepanther Used by Nazi Germany During World War II Discovered

By: Carissa Moore | Published: Dec 05, 2023

World War II marked a global conflict that spanned from 1939 to 1945.

While the war may have ended nearly 80 years ago, we are still unearthing relics from those fateful events. It has long been rumored that Nazis lost several military tanks as they made their way across the Czarna Nida River in southern Poland. The longtime legend was proven to be true in 1990, as the first Nazi tank was recovered. In 2003, a second German tank weighing 25-tons was removed from the river. Now, a third vehicle has been located and it is said to be “the last of its kind.”

Similar Tanks Have Been Worth $16 Million

The incredible discovery of a historic Bergepanther used by Nazi Germany during World War II is said to be “worth a fortune.”

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An old military tank

Source: Panzer Farm/Facebook

The vehicle was used as an army recovery vehicle during the war, and has been sitting at the bottom of a river for decades until recently being recovered. Because of the tank’s history and connection to WWII, collectors are certain that it will sell for millions of dollars. A similar model sold for a whopping $16 million in Germany two years prior, leading experts to believe that this vehicle will sell for just as much – if not more.

One Man Was Determined to Find the Elusive Tank

Michał Kęszycki spearheaded the salvage operation and insisted that the discovery was 30 years in the making.

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Panzer Heavy machinery being used to hoist the 25-ton tank from the river

Source: Panzer Farm/Facebook

He shared a detailed account of how one wise local man told stories of how the tank had sunken in the river back in 1945. “The story begins in the early ‘90s when an old man showed my uncle the place where the vehicle sunk,” he said, adding that he heard rumblings about “a tank which pulled other tanks.”

Locating the Tank Was Like Finding Buried Treasure

For years, talk about the missing tank was nothing more than a tall tale.

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Nazi tank from WWII emerging from the water

Source: Panzer Farm/Facebook

More than three decades after hearing about the supposed tank, Kęszycki searched the area until finally striking gold. “The old guy knew a little about German tanks and he told my uncle it was a Panther tank without a turret,” he said. “The guy was old and he just showed the place, but not exactly. We found the exact place a few months ago with a magnetometer.”

Nazi Tanks Were Too Heavy for the Frozen River

Towards the end of World War II, Nazi soldiers became surrounded while trying to flee Poland.

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The heavy tank being carefully removed from the lake

Source: Panzer Farm/Facebook

After unsuccessfully trying to find a bridge to cross over, the Germans attempted to drive their military tanks right over the icy body of water. According to Kęszycki, “In desperate attempts to get out of this trap, some tankers tried to ford Czarna Nida. During one such attempt, the Bergepanther sank.” He noted that the frozen river permitted lighter vehicles to cross, however, it was “not suitable for tanks.”

The Experience Was Unlike Any Other

Though Kęszycki and his vehicle restoration company, Panzer Farm, miraculously managed to locate and remove the Nazi tank from the river, he was not able to keep the tank.

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The tank gradually emerges from the Czarna Nida River

Source: Panzer Farm/Facebook

He was disappointed that he couldn’t add it to his personal collection but still called the discovery “a dream experience.” Kęszycki is impressed that the old townsman accurately described the vicinity of the sunken tank. More importantly, he is amazed that his story has been passed on for so many generations.

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Where Will the Tank Go Now?

After spending so many years underwater, the German military tank will be given new life at the Polish Army Museum in Warsaw.

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A refurbished Bergepanther on display at a museum in France

Source: Wikimedia Commons

The museum is mystified by the unique World War II artifact and calls it an “absolute rarity.” The Bergepanther was first used by Nazi Germany in 1943 because of how difficult it was to recover lost tanks. The Bergepanther’s sheer size gave it the grit to pull smaller vehicles out of the water with ease.

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What Made the Bergepanther Special?

The Bergepanther was equipped with a hauling device known as a winch that could haul heavy tanks without issue.

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A German Bergepanther from the World War II era

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Bergepanthers were also built with strider armor that would protect soldiers under enemy fire. Konrad Maj, a local historian, said that a total of five Bergepanthers were stationed near the Czarna Nida River in 1944. It was there that the Nazi Germans were awaiting an attack from the Soviets.

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A One of a Kind Find

History lovers everywhere are going wild over the Nazi tank that was recently found.

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The Panzer Farm crew poses alongside the Nazi tank from WWII

Source: Panzer Farm/Facebook

According to Kęszycki, the Bergepanther tank is an incredibly rare find because so few have been made. He indicated that the tank he recently pulled from the river is likely the only one of its kind. “There are only a few existing Bergepanther tanks in the world, but this version is the only one,” he claimed.

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The Tank Is a Military Enthusiasts’ Dream

Since only three of the alleged five tanks have been found, there may be more opportunities for Panzer Farm to recover other WWII relics in the future.

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A sunken German military tank from the 1940s

Source: Panzer Farm/Facebook

Perhaps even more treasures from the past are waiting to be revealed. Kęszycki is an expert when it comes to handling historical military equipment. He and his family have one of the largest military collections in Poland. They even host military events on their 15-acre farm.

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The Tank Generated a Lot of Online Buzz

Panzer Farm documented the process of retrieving the tank from the river and shared it on their Facebook page.

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Recovery crew poses in front of the WWII tank

Source: Panzer Farm/Facebook

There was plenty of fanfare in the comments section, with people from all over the world sharing their thoughts on their incredible contribution to history. “Congrats to such a unique find, that’s a real treasure,” wrote one commenter. Another person added, “I envy you, I always wanted to take part in the production of such equipment. congratulations.” Panzer Farm replied by saying, “The fact that we got it – no one can take that away from us.”

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The Mystery of the Missing Tank Is Solved

Whether you’re a history buff or not, there’s no denying that stumbling upon a military tank that was used during World War II is astounding.

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A refurbished Bergepanther on display in Germany

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Following the recovery of the 1940s Bergepanther, Panzer Farm hopes to find other battle-used military vehicles. The discovery wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for a local myth that ended up solving the mystery of the missing tank almost 80 years after it vanished.

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