Perfectly Preserved World War II German Tank Found During Construction Work in Germany
During the extensive expansion and modernization works carried out at Nordholz Naval Air Base on the North Sea coast of Germany, a sensational discovery that thrilled world history was made. Construction workers noticed a rusty piece of metal among the sands while they were scanning the area. As the surroundings of what was initially thought to be an old water pipe were excavated, a nearly intact war armor from the Second World War emerged from beneath it.
The 29-ton StuG III (Sturmgeschütz III) type German assault gun, which had been hidden almost like a time capsule under a dry layer of sand for about 80 years, surfaced with details that even baffled military historians.
Experts are hailing this discovery as "extraordinary and historically unparalleled."
Despite the humid North Sea climate, the vehicle remained under a layer of dry sand, which prevented rust and preserved it in an excellent condition.
Chilling Details on the Tank:
The original military camouflage paint from the World War II era on the vehicle retains its initial hues to a great extent.
The most striking detail, however, is located on the vehicle's barrel. Clearly visible on the barrel are white stripes symbolizing '17 enemy tanks' that this armored vehicle allegedly destroyed during the war.
Dr. Henning Haßmann, the State Archaeologist working at the Department of Cultural Heritage Preservation, elucidates the significance of the discovery with these words:
'This artifact narrates the final days of the war in Northwestern Germany. There are few written records from that period. As the war was winding down elsewhere, the battles in this region were escalating. Following the war, the Allied forces were known to bury such war wreckage right at the scene, effectively eradicating it.'
The StuG III, one of the most significant tank destroyers of the time with approximately 9,300 units produced until April 1945, made an unexpected return from the dusty pages of history eighty years later when it was accidentally unearthed by the bucket of a construction machine.
With the support of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service, the German Armed Forces successfully extricated the tank from the ground in a secure manner.
The colossal armored vehicle is slated to be transported to Münster in August, where it will undergo specialized preservation/restoration procedures.
Despite appearing to be in its original robust condition, it has been pointed out that it will take several years to fully restore the vehicle and make it ready for public display. Once the work is completed, this legendary war armor will commence its display at a special spot reserved for it in the Bundeswehr Military History Museum in Dresden.
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