Pencil sketch of a Nazi by Dr K Prabhakar Rao

KARL KORNER NAZI TAnk Ace

Karl Körner (1920–1997) was a Hauptscharführer in the Waffen SS during World War II and one of the most successful Panzer-Commander Aces who had a score of 102 tank kills within only 3 months and was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, which was awarded to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership by Nazi Germany during World War II.In April 1945, Karl Körner was a platoon commander in the 2nd Company, 503 SS Heavy Panzer Battalion acting in support of an infantry attack in the area of Bollersdorf to the east of Berlin, during the attack he located two JS II tanks. He destroyed the first and the second drove into a tank ditch when reversing to get into a firing position and was then abandoned by the crew. Advancing further along the road from Bollersdorf to Strausberg he observed a Russian tank brigade consisting of another eleven JS II tanks and around 120 to 150 T-34/85's being refueled and rearmed. He opened fire with his King Tiger and destroyed the JS II tanks and attacked the T-34's with the other 2 King Tigers of his platoon which arrived later. Some of the fuel and ammunition trucks caught in the attack exploded causing panic amongst the tank crews. After Körner had expended all the Tiger's ammunition supply (39 rounds for 39 tanks destroyed) he withdrew back to the German Lines.In the following days, the 503 SS Heavy Panzer Battalion was forced back into the defense of Berlin. In the withdrawal, Körner destroyed 102 Russian tanks and 26 anti tank guns, for which he was awarded the Knight's Cross in the Führerbunker on the 29 April 1945. After the award ceremony he returned to what was left of his Battalion fighting in the Charlottenburg area.