An unusual remnant of World War II was found by a group of military history enthusiasts in the middle of a field in Poland on 1st October this year. One meter beneath the surface the German turret was resting for over 70 years. Given the circumstances, it’s still in a pretty good shape!
Members of RAWELIN Group with their priceless find (ⓒ Dariusz Krzyształowski, RAWELIN)
As they say – we have to not only hear but also to listen to the older generation, as they know a lot and have a lot to say. The RAWELIN Group has been searching for remnants of war in that area for a long time, especially on the B1 line of fortifications. One of the members got information from an older owner of the field that there was a turret buried in his field. So the RAWELIN Group went there with heavy equipment, hoping to dig it up.
Flat plains everywhere around (ⓒ Dariusz Krzyształowski, RAWELIN)
Yet their intel was correct. The tank turret was buried exactly there.(ⓒ Dariusz Krzyształowski, RAWELIN)
And finally on the surface, for the first time in 70 years! (ⓒ Dariusz Krzyształowski, RAWELIN)
What is it exactly?
The find is a turret of a Panzerkampwagen II. A complete turret with a barrel and hatches in a superb condition (as can be seen in the photos). It’s a unique turret as it’s probably the only one like that in Poland and possibly in the whole of Europe. In 1944, Germans were often mounting older versions of turrets like this on concrete bunkers. It didn’t have much value in terms of firepower, as the caliber of it is 37mm and wasn’t able to penetrate any Soviet armor at that time, but Wehrmacht tried everything they could after Operation Bagration. Even if it was a desperate idea.
There are no tracks or hull. To be precise, it was an object called Ringstand 67 with a mounted turret on it.
What to do with a discovery of that caliber? First, restore it. So the RAWELIN Group immediately started bringing it back to its former glory.
Still dirty, but not for long… (ⓒ Dariusz Krzyształowski, RAWELIN)
And here we go, showing its true colors! (ⓒ Dariusz Krzyształowski, RAWELIN)
Over 50% of the original paintwork survived. And below the yellow paint lead can be seen! (ⓒ Dariusz Krzyształowski, RAWELIN)
Restoration of relics is very fragile and delicate matter (ⓒ Dariusz Krzyształowski, RAWELIN)
Condition of it simply amazes!(ⓒ Dariusz Krzyształowski, RAWELIN)
And even registration numbers are visible! 4804 028. First part probably comes from the turret symbol F. Pz. DT 4804 (ⓒ Dariusz Krzyształowski, RAWELIN)
And another angle! It’s never too much (ⓒ Dariusz Krzyształowski, RAWELIN)
The barrel is still sound, though it won’t ever fire again (ⓒ Dariusz Krzyształowski, RAWELIN)
Washing the interior of the turret (ⓒ Dariusz Krzyształowski, RAWELIN)
Finally, the view of the interior (ⓒ Dariusz Krzyształowski, RAWELIN)
According to RAWELINs plans, the turret will go back at the B1 line after restoration, near the other bunkers that are in RAWELIN’s care.
