The Heikendorf Panther - The German Tank Found in a Basement

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ม.ค. 2025

ความคิดเห็น • 1.9K

  • @petesy03
    @petesy03 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7162

    This man had it for 40 years and had it immaculate, the government only had it 5 minutes and broke the front suspension??????

  • @captaingordon
    @captaingordon 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5779

    He should be rewarded for saving history.

  • @Charlie3vans
    @Charlie3vans 6 ปีที่แล้ว +407

    Deserves a medal for preserving historical artifacts.

  • @jonesaderhold3513
    @jonesaderhold3513 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2417

    The 88 flak was obviously his concealed carry! You never know when a wild KV might appear.

  • @samg5463
    @samg5463 6 ปีที่แล้ว +8784

    So he had a demilitarized tank that everyone knew about, permission to own it and didn't try to hide it since he drove the tank around for years... but now they're taking him to court? That doesn't seem fair

    • @alecgrant5330
      @alecgrant5330 6 ปีที่แล้ว +647

      i have not looked into it but the video also mentioned he was in possetion of an 88mm flack gun and other WWII firearms it is possible that one of them was not licenced and demillitarised and so that led to his whole collection getting taken

    • @l0lLorenzol0l
      @l0lLorenzol0l 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1882

      EU is scared shitless of losing control.

    • @guerrillaRMV
      @guerrillaRMV 6 ปีที่แล้ว +455

      What concerns the Panther, I really think he is being treated unjustly. I followed the media coverage for a while. Still, the other weapons discovered (for example the 8,8 cm AA gun) pose a serious offense against the Kriegswaffenkontrollgesetz, the law (mentioned in the video), which concerns the ownership of military grade weaponry.

    • @marc9283
      @marc9283 6 ปีที่แล้ว +190

      @@l0lLorenzol0l How? yeah some asshole could do a terror attack with his collection, but nothing serious to hurt the EU.

    • @harrychalmers5005
      @harrychalmers5005 6 ปีที่แล้ว +381

      And why did they have to damage it. Is careful not a word in the German army? It’s not like it was going to start up and drive away it had no tracks in the photos.

  • @marvinl8519
    @marvinl8519 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1242

    I still remember when this went through the news here in Germany. Everyone was like: "Wow! Awesome restoration, he should put his work on display, so people who are interested in WWII Armor can have a look!" But the german media talked like he was a criminal and the gov stole everything from him... we have a very big problem with our past here in Germany

  • @carlosn894
    @carlosn894 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3055

    I am living about 4km next to the Villa. Everyone knew he had many Nazi weapons and kept them in excellent condition. He didn't even charge you money, you could just ring the doorbell and ask him nicely and he would give you a tour of his collection. In regards to the Legend of the man plowing snow in the 1978 snow catastrophe with his Panther, this is not true. He did not use an actual tank but instead a Wehrmacht Sd.Kfz half track vehicle, but it's impossible to tell today which exact variant, since he doesn't own this thing anymore.
    The seizing of the Panther by the government was also an absolute shitshow. The Panther was deep down in his garage and the tracks where laying right next to it. Instead of mounting the tracks and causing zero damage, they hauled the tank out of the garage without tracks while they had to pass a 90° angled corner. To get the tank around the corner, they broke out a sizable portion of concrete from the garage and assembled a complex construction of winches, then towed this thing around 100m to the street. Jesus..

    • @torifin755
      @torifin755 6 ปีที่แล้ว +79

      wow.
      just.
      wow.
      then again the Panther is a old war tank, maybe was for the best for the Military that once used them to break it.

    • @andersforsgren3806
      @andersforsgren3806 6 ปีที่แล้ว +248

      Sound like a nice man then, too bad it's too late to see it there now.
      But I get a peek at one in a museum one day.

    • @metivs
      @metivs 6 ปีที่แล้ว +172

      the story is 3y old. Is there any update? How did the man do at the court? thanks for the insight and clarifications!

    • @geronimo5537
      @geronimo5537 6 ปีที่แล้ว +468

      As an American, I can see how unjustified this seizure was and I do mean by every part of the word unjustified. The man had all the legal paperwork and caused no harmed. He owned all of it legally and followed the laws. But in the end it did not matter if he had a personal museum because government swept in. I honestly blame the liberalized government of Germany more so than the people involved. The German government cares far less about it's people then it does immigrants. This man is owed every percent of the value for the damages incurred.

    • @robertwarner5486
      @robertwarner5486 6 ปีที่แล้ว +24

      do you know how he got the panther into the basement in the first place? as it was so difficult to get out?

  • @philippekogler
    @philippekogler 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2281

    Give the tank back to grandpa!

  • @valiatus6719
    @valiatus6719 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4981

    "German" Government: Nice tank you legally own, mind if we steal it?

    • @kuuppafin6011
      @kuuppafin6011 5 ปีที่แล้ว +257

      Just this is the reason I wouldnt destroy a main gun off a tank if found one... Just cant trust governments.

    • @hashteraksgage3281
      @hashteraksgage3281 5 ปีที่แล้ว +286

      Merkel will melt it and make an holocaust memorial or someting, is very sad

    • @SuperGoodison
      @SuperGoodison 5 ปีที่แล้ว +133

      And they say the stazi has long been gone.

    • @xxx6797
      @xxx6797 5 ปีที่แล้ว +73

      If you like ww2 stuff and you go to the german Army they Directly think that you a narzi ließe whaaat

  • @Tileman69
    @Tileman69 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3803

    "recovered" is a funny way to say stolen.

  • @terraflow__bryanburdo4547
    @terraflow__bryanburdo4547 6 ปีที่แล้ว +722

    The Panther was a decoy to conceal the Me-262 he had in the attic.

    • @johnchalleen3278
      @johnchalleen3278 6 ปีที่แล้ว +168

      The one parked next to the V-2 rocket?

    • @JazzBoat_
      @JazzBoat_ 6 ปีที่แล้ว +21

      wholesome reply in this sea of racist shit, keep at it!

    • @deborateste3524
      @deborateste3524 6 ปีที่แล้ว +56

      @@anarchythefox the p1000 ratte parked next to a horten ho 229

    • @donald_doe
      @donald_doe 6 ปีที่แล้ว +103

      I heard the lake behind his backyard has a Bismarck docked there

    • @twojacksandanace3847
      @twojacksandanace3847 6 ปีที่แล้ว +72

      Don't forget the U-Boat in the chimney.

  • @andricbuhl5576
    @andricbuhl5576 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2713

    The whole story is a complete joke! I was born in Heikendorf and I'm still living here. Everbody in Heikendorf nows the Panther and it's owner. I was growing up in the same street were the Panther was stored. My grandparents knew the owner. He was using it during the heavy winter storm in 78/79 to keep the streets in Heikendorf free. What happened know is very strange. Anyway.... Many greatings to all TH-cam users from Panther-city Heikendorf! 😉

  • @maxwell120L55
    @maxwell120L55 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2804

    It's so unfair they seized the tank, if it was demilitarized and restored by him, it's his property

    • @h0st_le960
      @h0st_le960 6 ปีที่แล้ว +362

      Welcome to Germany

    • @terrified057t4
      @terrified057t4 6 ปีที่แล้ว +36

      He could just get licenses for the Guns and FlaK gun. Once that's done if and it's still not enough, just make the guns D-Wat (or D-Wot, I forget) and seal the FlaK's breach, he should be good.

    • @paintbox9899
      @paintbox9899 6 ปีที่แล้ว +27

      But he didn't before he was found with all the live guns, guy was hiding a live 88mm Flak gun so it's fair he going to court@@terrified057t4

    • @knightowl3577
      @knightowl3577 6 ปีที่แล้ว +141

      If the State wants to take something from you they will find a law to do it.

    • @redram5150
      @redram5150 6 ปีที่แล้ว +96

      Even with an active gun, if owned peaceably he’s done nothing wrong. No victim no crime

  • @josephhudson8829
    @josephhudson8829 5 ปีที่แล้ว +836

    Return the demilitarized Panther back to its owner

  • @trycoldman2358
    @trycoldman2358 6 ปีที่แล้ว +895

    It is said, that the owner drove around town during winter with his tank, to flatten the snow so that cars could drive on the roads again.
    He also used his underground warehouse as private museum, with tickets sold to people.
    A shame that his property got taken away.

    • @TheWilferch
      @TheWilferch 6 ปีที่แล้ว +29

      not a shame...."criminal" maybe.....

    • @828enigma6
      @828enigma6 6 ปีที่แล้ว +66

      @ROB H8U Wouldn't that be a trip! Get stuck and a WW2 tank comes along and rescues you.

    • @arvedludwig3584
      @arvedludwig3584 6 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      @Michael Novak you're from America right? If so then the credibility of your knowledge is below zero.

    • @robertdevito5001
      @robertdevito5001 6 ปีที่แล้ว +28

      @Michael Novak I think what Will Ferch was saying that what the German government wasn't just shameful, but criminal.
      The taking of a legally obtained and legally maintained (the fact that the tank had legally demilitarized weaponry on it) object is criminal.

    • @welshpete12
      @welshpete12 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      He is in violation of the War Weapons Control Act. As I understand it , it doesn't matter under German law whether they fire or not

  • @ineb1967
    @ineb1967 5 ปีที่แล้ว +409

    This is unbelievable. Poor man I hope he gets his Panther back

  • @Ephraim32
    @Ephraim32 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2800

    So dude bought a tank wreck legally, restored it legally, stored it legally, had legal documentation from the local government, and then the government just showed up and took it because?

    • @Gallagherfreak100
      @Gallagherfreak100 6 ปีที่แล้ว +796

      Maybe the presence of the tank upset the local imam.

    • @paintbox9899
      @paintbox9899 6 ปีที่แล้ว +141

      Cause he was hoarding other weapons/ammo and a live 88mm Flak gun

    • @paperthin2
      @paperthin2 6 ปีที่แล้ว +183

      Just an example of "gun control"

    • @my_boi55
      @my_boi55 6 ปีที่แล้ว +97

      @@Gallagherfreak100 Maybe no
      Some reports said that the owner used the tank to clear snow during winter for cars to pass properly

    • @wewuzvikangz4829
      @wewuzvikangz4829 6 ปีที่แล้ว +260

      Because they wanted it for themselves so they created an excuse, pretty simple really

  • @bobkow3553
    @bobkow3553 5 ปีที่แล้ว +486

    I remember when this story broke. The media portrayed the owner as "hiding" these items... Yes I see, hiding them from thieves. Don't steal kids, governments hate the competition.....

  • @WeirdSeagul
    @WeirdSeagul 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1709

    why was removing the tank quickly so important. why couldn't they wait for proper equipment to not damge all the wheels

    • @tobiberlin3471
      @tobiberlin3471 6 ปีที่แล้ว +54

      @@Jixxor you are absolutely right; i heard it too!

    • @thecashier930
      @thecashier930 6 ปีที่แล้ว +98

      Absolutley wrong.
      About 20 pionier soldiers worked ~9 hours on this beast. Before starting, they built multiple ramps, because they didn't just have to pull it up a simple driveway, they had to get it over some steps, as well as around multiple tight corners.
      Due to legal requirements, they had to do this without damaging the house. This was the highest priority. The fact that it didn't have tracks, probably didn't make it simpler.
      www.shz.de/regionales/schleswig-holstein/panorama/panzer-im-keller-staatsanwaltschaft-erhebt-anklage-gegen-besitzer-id15752921.html
      The picture in this article might illustrate part of why it was so hard. Considering the difficulty I think it's actually quite surprising they only damaged the suspension of a single wheel slightly.

    • @vonSnook
      @vonSnook 6 ปีที่แล้ว +42

      German National Guard
      They only had the weekend. LoL
      George Takei's voice says " Oh- My ".

    • @paulhart8814
      @paulhart8814 6 ปีที่แล้ว +131

      the owner used to drive it, at the time the tracks were off, and they just dragged it out, damaging other artifacts as well, they should of let him put the tracks on and driven it out, there was damage to the building as well

    • @motorrebell
      @motorrebell 6 ปีที่แล้ว +219

      Because some stupid Left wing -Liberal politician thought the militaria collection was illegal - panicked and has urged to confiscate the private ww2 collection .

  • @trainknut
    @trainknut 6 ปีที่แล้ว +474

    Owner: "Hey that's my tank!"
    Bundeswehr: "Not anymore pal, this is Wehrmacht property now"
    Indiana Jones: "That belongs in a museum!"

  • @lolarund4722
    @lolarund4722 6 ปีที่แล้ว +89

    If I remember correctly this guy was known for helping his neighbours by pulling tree stumps out and the removal of snow in winter.
    In 1978/79 we had snow catastrophy in Germany. Some regions had that much snow that they were cut off from ressources. The army tried to help with tanks to supply the people. This guy helped with his Panther too.

  • @zogzog1063
    @zogzog1063 6 ปีที่แล้ว +57

    It is a valuable piece of history. I hope the owner gets honoured for his efforts.

  • @chrisfryer3118
    @chrisfryer3118 6 ปีที่แล้ว +287

    give the man his tank back

    • @citychick4154
      @citychick4154 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      No shite. What's the world coming to? It's getting so a guy can't even park his Panther in the garage.

    • @kongman27
      @kongman27 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      they did , he got it back

    • @elevenunderscore11
      @elevenunderscore11 6 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@kongman27 Source?

    • @user-dd9ow8ze6h
      @user-dd9ow8ze6h 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@kongman27 EVIDENCES PLEASE

  • @dotty1549
    @dotty1549 6 ปีที่แล้ว +226

    They knew about this tank for years including the local mayor what a load of bollocks!

  • @vincevandergoes2362
    @vincevandergoes2362 6 ปีที่แล้ว +78

    Great video again Mark. It’s sad to see that the owner was prosecuted and the tank and other weapons seized especially considering it was not a secret he had them. He did a great job on the restoration. I hope the tank is fixed and either returned or at least put in a working museum. History needs to be preserved and that is what the owner did.
    Keep up the great work 😊

    • @julianneale6128
      @julianneale6128 6 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      Yes I agree. If they find he legally can't own the tank (like he did for 50 years) then if it's worth €2500000, that's what he should receive... They stole his property!

    • @Zretgul_timerunner
      @Zretgul_timerunner 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@julianneale6128 well the mad lad owned something around 12k illegal guns, 2 million "live" rounds, hundreds of mortars and the likes an 88 and the panther. The gov just sweeped it all up since it was all in violation of state law.

  • @generalkenobi5173
    @generalkenobi5173 6 ปีที่แล้ว +238

    *0:40** they dragged the panther from its lair....* Damn poachers.

  • @robbo7961
    @robbo7961 6 ปีที่แล้ว +41

    It would seem that even after nearly 74 years, Germany still
    worries a lot about controlling these relics.
    Nice work Mark.
    Thank you sir!

  • @ElementalMaker
    @ElementalMaker 5 ปีที่แล้ว +68

    How messed up. That man legally bought and restored that tank. It should be returned to him and he should take the government to court.

  • @Heer_Kuipers
    @Heer_Kuipers 6 ปีที่แล้ว +470

    I still tank the man should get his stuff back

    • @simonkevnorris
      @simonkevnorris 6 ปีที่แล้ว +29

      So long as it was legally obtained and the guns can't fire. In many ways the owner should be congratulated for rescuing the Panther from the scrap yard and restoring it. Hopefully, sometime in the future we can get an update on what has happened.
      Anyway, another gem - thanks Mark I'm glad I found your channel.

    • @chrisneedham5803
      @chrisneedham5803 6 ปีที่แล้ว +23

      I bet he got some flak for having that 88 mm in his basement

    • @thecashier930
      @thecashier930 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@simonkevnorris He didn't just have the tank and the 8,8, but Mortars, Maschine Guns, Assault Rifles and over a thousand rounds of live ammo. As far as I could find information, the lawsuit is still ongoing. As a part of this lawsuit the Bundeswehr looked at every single piece of equipment and saw that none of the weapons was lawfully demilitarized.
      It doesn't matter if they can actually shoot, if the demilitarisation of the weapons isn't lawfull.
      Therefore the weapons and equipment will be confiscated. This would be the same in pretty much every western Nation.

    • @divinefish503
      @divinefish503 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Pun not intended

    • @joshcummings7421
      @joshcummings7421 6 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@thecashier930 Fuck off. Those guns should be in the hands of the one whom paid for them. The German government should be disbanded, and all government officials should be shot. Stop tolerating this nonsense.

  • @cobaltrebel3133
    @cobaltrebel3133 5 ปีที่แล้ว +139

    Germany: "personal property. Approved legally. WhAtS ThAt? ItS OuRs NoW!" "And by the way we are going to sue you too."
    I hope this guy gets justice for this outrageous government overstep!

  • @darylcampbell3244
    @darylcampbell3244 6 ปีที่แล้ว +190

    He should get his stuff back! It was hurting no one.

    • @Laotzu.Goldbug
      @Laotzu.Goldbug 6 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      @@MrCarpelan go away, commie

    • @MrAlumni72
      @MrAlumni72 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Numerous small arms and an 88-mm flak gun. Not just the tank. Not a German citizen but it sounds like the law basically just said 'round them ALL up', not just specific weapons.

    • @NoSTs123
      @NoSTs123 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      well his basement was heavely damaged and if the tank stayed there it would have colapsed

    • @schattenseele66
      @schattenseele66 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      fun fact this panzer was stolen so it was not his tank

    • @jammygamer8961
      @jammygamer8961 6 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      @@schattenseele66 so he stole the tank he bought?

  • @johnnysmith9742
    @johnnysmith9742 5 ปีที่แล้ว +124

    Bless this man and I hope he finds peace after having his life torn from him by a still alive and well, terrorizing government. This is the way of the future for our world.

  • @cheesenoodles8316
    @cheesenoodles8316 6 ปีที่แล้ว +199

    If he restored it....he should get to keep the fruits of his labors.

    • @7th_CAV_Trooper
      @7th_CAV_Trooper 6 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      That's a Western ideal. The Germans will have none of that.

    • @nicolasrouvreau8365
      @nicolasrouvreau8365 6 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      No in "democratic" country were illegals migrants had more rights for them than the native inhabitants

    • @geronimo5537
      @geronimo5537 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Welcome to a government lead by liberal socialism where nothing is "yours" regardless of proof or paperwork.

  • @silverfortytwo9506
    @silverfortytwo9506 6 ปีที่แล้ว +95

    It technically wasn't even a War Weapon. It was a replica, essentially

  • @McRocket
    @McRocket 6 ปีที่แล้ว +24

    You've done it again...I knew nothing of any of this. I found the part about Britain building a bunch of Panther's and Jagdpanther's especially fascinating. Thank you.

  • @owen-nd7om
    @owen-nd7om 5 ปีที่แล้ว +168

    I like how there are a lot of Americans defending this guy. Keep fighting the good fight my fellow Americans.

  • @combee23
    @combee23 6 ปีที่แล้ว +353

    Damn bureaucrats, can't have a decent hobby these days

    • @ericscottstevens
      @ericscottstevens 6 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      German courts are corrupt. Always have been since 1945.

    • @zoltangabordudas4393
      @zoltangabordudas4393 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Then they maybe try jerking off
      ... ,😀

  • @Error-5478
    @Error-5478 4 ปีที่แล้ว +101

    The dude bought it, repaired it. And kept it in amazing condition.
    And they *fucking* stole it, *and* managed to break the tank as they were doing it?

  • @firepower7017
    @firepower7017 6 ปีที่แล้ว +56

    There is a cat problem in my basement. It keeps furiously staring at me and it is made of steel

  • @Britishshooter
    @Britishshooter 6 ปีที่แล้ว +165

    Outrageous, this man should get his tank back and sue the German Government for the damage to it. I don't think the German Government is at all trustworthy.

  • @GrumpyIan
    @GrumpyIan 5 ปีที่แล้ว +333

    Had he moved to Texas he wouldn't have this problem.

  • @gpr7571
    @gpr7571 5 ปีที่แล้ว +71

    *German prison*
    " what are you in for?"
    "housebreaking, what about you?"
    "Not much, had a Panther tank in the house"
    "Scheiße!"

  • @h.cedric8157
    @h.cedric8157 6 ปีที่แล้ว +931

    GIVE BACK HIS PANTHER.
    NO Government HAS ANY RIGHT TO STEAL A PRIVATE COLLECTION .
    Is there a petition we all could sign?
    Edit 1/12/19
    Holy crap guys. Almost 1k likes. Many thanks! Imagine if we all join forces to serve justice to that collector?

    • @seiya2352
      @seiya2352 6 ปีที่แล้ว +25

      Make a petition

    • @shoppingcart9559
      @shoppingcart9559 6 ปีที่แล้ว +31

      Hanz Cedric I agree completely, but there is a silver lining, according to a reddit thread ( Thats sounds dumb but it was a credible source from a account with good rep) it is no longer at the academy and is now being restored and re-painted to go on display in a museum for the public.

    • @rstainsbury
      @rstainsbury 6 ปีที่แล้ว +26

      Ummm...he broke the law!

    • @simonmcnicholas
      @simonmcnicholas 6 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      They could take your kids off you if deemed an unfit parent... I think his Panther is gone

    • @robtankbuster5215
      @robtankbuster5215 6 ปีที่แล้ว +46

      It's his Panther, give it back!!!

  • @johncook3125
    @johncook3125 5 ปีที่แล้ว +159

    Bloody government.
    What a load of prats.
    Give the man back his legally owned tank.

  • @markhughes7927
    @markhughes7927 6 ปีที่แล้ว +50

    The state has become a monster everywhere - the ‘trial’ should have been made before seizure to establish its legality not after. Is not that universal principle?

  • @DreadnoughtHvor
    @DreadnoughtHvor 5 ปีที่แล้ว +37

    I wonder if the internet can generate enough pressure to get this man his Panther back.

  • @mannixflinn6227
    @mannixflinn6227 6 ปีที่แล้ว +25

    Great video as ever.
    Informative and to the point.
    Thank you Mark.

  • @mindbomb9341
    @mindbomb9341 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Somehow -- even after 40 years of WW2 reading -- I manage to learn something new on virtually every video. Thanks! Considering heading to your Patreon.

  • @captjim007
    @captjim007 6 ปีที่แล้ว +100

    Someone important wants his tank.

    • @karl_3885
      @karl_3885 6 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      this exactly.

  • @Renfa_Arviette
    @Renfa_Arviette 5 ปีที่แล้ว +497

    "he was brought to court because he of breaking military ownership rules"
    IT WAS
    DE
    MI
    LI
    TARIZED.

    • @01DOGG01
      @01DOGG01 5 ปีที่แล้ว +41

      BUT
      HIS
      FLAK
      GUN
      WASN'T

  • @danielpankhurst3195
    @danielpankhurst3195 3 ปีที่แล้ว +29

    Just been fined a quarter of a million Euros snd a suspended prison sentence!! What a joke!

  • @salparadise1220
    @salparadise1220 5 ปีที่แล้ว +44

    Seems they have the same problem in Germany that we have over here - a hysterical Government, insane Police and a total and complete disregard for private property.

  • @sarjim4381
    @sarjim4381 6 ปีที่แล้ว +57

    I've always wanted to go down to my basement and find a tank. :-)

    • @Mrtweet81
      @Mrtweet81 6 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      Sar Jim I did do that, it was full of warm water...

    • @bugler75
      @bugler75 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Mrtweet81 😂😂😂

    • @MissDragonByt
      @MissDragonByt 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Nah, you're looking in the wrong place. Gotta try the attic.

    • @twilightroach4274
      @twilightroach4274 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      With my luck it would be a septic tank

  • @TEC_Stuff
    @TEC_Stuff 5 ปีที่แล้ว +49

    I thought that was one of the solemn reasons WWII in Germany was fought in the first place - so that never again would people and their possessions be taken from their homes by the government. Lesson not learned.

  • @panzertracks
    @panzertracks 6 ปีที่แล้ว +430

    knock knock, who is it? ur neighbor, can i borrow ur Panther tank I have some communists in my backyard i need to get rid off!

    • @knutdergroe9757
      @knutdergroe9757 6 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      Are they homeless Commies,
      Or the local political kind ?

    • @panzertracks
      @panzertracks 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@knutdergroe9757 locals, you know how they can be.

    • @thompsona1232
      @thompsona1232 6 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      Either way they’re starving

    • @atnorange5491
      @atnorange5491 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Neighbor can I borrow the kv2?
      I need to get rid of some fascists.

    • @comradeivan9326
      @comradeivan9326 6 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      The KV-2 will get rid of the rest of the city block either way*

  • @mysteriousgadget7879
    @mysteriousgadget7879 6 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    It would be greatly appreciated that this Panther be kept in running order, as is a rare piece of wartime history, and should be preserved.

  • @bigblue6917
    @bigblue6917 6 ปีที่แล้ว +43

    Good job they did not check the loft. There are a couple of Tiger tanks and a Sturmgeschütz III up there.

    • @johnchalleen3278
      @johnchalleen3278 6 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      BULLSTUFF! That's where the V-2 collection is.🐴

    • @seppalastname4574
      @seppalastname4574 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Viking Power he will use his P1500 to destroy Angela merkel

  • @ghostmost2614
    @ghostmost2614 5 ปีที่แล้ว +87

    Just goes to show, appearance over practical. Like an AR-15, the image of the Big Scarry motorized vehicle FREAKED THE 1% OUT.
    Put a blade on the front and it's a bulldozer.

  • @aaronalva3797
    @aaronalva3797 6 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    Panther !! 🔥🔥🇩🇪🇩🇪 , thanks Much Mark !!!

  • @Vestergaard11
    @Vestergaard11 5 ปีที่แล้ว +329

    This is a crap!
    I hope my StuG won't ever be discovered...

  • @Military-Museum-LP
    @Military-Museum-LP 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Please keep us updated on this story. Thanks Mark.

  • @deathlibrarian
    @deathlibrarian 5 ปีที่แล้ว +45

    It is clearly decommissioned, he brought it as a wreck from the scrap heap in another country, and restored it, bringing it back to Germany. The German govt should be thanking him, not punishing him.

  • @gerriegetverderrie7791
    @gerriegetverderrie7791 5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Imagne how proud one can be with a panther. Only after 40 years to get it be taken away and be brought to court.

  • @independent2368
    @independent2368 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    One of my all-time favorite TH-cam channels 👍🏼

  • @Koshiro2k3
    @Koshiro2k3 6 ปีที่แล้ว +49

    To add a bit of an explanation, this is apparently the doing of a, shall we say, overzealous regional chief prosecutor. She has also had circus animals seized on the instigation of PETA, then immediately had them sold off while they were allegedly being 'examined'. Similarly, a whole kennel's worth of dogs owned by a local breeder was seized on the grounds of a vague smuggling accusation. The press reported that there were dozens of such cases in the jurisdiction of this prosecutor.
    I'd say what we're looking at here is an out of control state prosecutor who abuses her power for spectacular police actions and objectively unnecessary seizures of private property - ostensibly in the service of 'animal warfare' or 'anti-militarism', either because of her own political biases or because she thinks she stands to gain prestige by such things.

    • @David-eh9le
      @David-eh9le 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Koshiro2k3 well. Not everything of his collection was demilitarised. Like the torpedo.

    • @robertkubrick3738
      @robertkubrick3738 6 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      @@David-eh9le - And how do you know that? The government told you? They never lie to you? LOL

  • @j_errosuhdudegod
    @j_errosuhdudegod 4 ปีที่แล้ว +44

    i hate my country for stealing that mans tank.

  • @captain0080
    @captain0080 6 ปีที่แล้ว +43

    Give back the cat to that man.

  • @JohnnyMaczeta
    @JohnnyMaczeta 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I love this tank's design. It's such a beauty.

  • @kaifel7539
    @kaifel7539 4 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    German news said, the guy has assembled a snow plough in the front of the tank and was removing the snow from the street in the the wintertime. The neighborhood knew that. So whats the problem, for not leaving the old man his demilitarized toy?

  • @anthonydavis9662
    @anthonydavis9662 5 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    State-sponsored theft is what it is. The man had a note of proper decommissioning, and privately, lovingly restored a priceless historical vehicle from his own pocket, and that's the thanks he gets? Unbelievable.

  • @cloudtail
    @cloudtail 5 ปีที่แล้ว +24

    Give him back his collection!

  • @shanekent5334
    @shanekent5334 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanks for sharing, stupid it go seized. Buddy did an awesome job restoring it.

  • @MrJokerh61
    @MrJokerh61 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Thanks for sharing I really enjoy your work and the history...

  • @johnnieireland2057
    @johnnieireland2057 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Leave him alone, its a piece of art and a piece of history. Good for him for taking care of it for so long.

  • @bobweber2127
    @bobweber2127 6 ปีที่แล้ว +39

    Sounds like someone needs to feel important and they had to have the rich guy arrested! Now who's the N.A.Z.I!

  • @Hamishtarah
    @Hamishtarah 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Amazing story!!! Thank you so much!

  • @sphere3704
    @sphere3704 5 ปีที่แล้ว +75

    He should of defended himself by rearming the panther!!!

  • @RoonVonBismarck
    @RoonVonBismarck 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I can't imagine the amount of effort he put into preserving the tank. Panthers required lots of maintenance to keep them in working condition and apparently he drove it around until 1978.

  • @paulm6797
    @paulm6797 6 ปีที่แล้ว +19

    Not just because you are more powerful than others doesn't mean you can just take someone's property, he obtained and restored that tank LEGALLY, and still they take it away from it's rightful owner, SHAME ON YOU

  • @mbtfp
    @mbtfp 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    The owner got his tank back! cheers!

  • @jasonmeehan1269
    @jasonmeehan1269 6 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    Sad story, no winners so far. Governments decommissioned and throw away and a collector restored it and has it taken away. What is wrong with Germany lately. I loved living there in the mid 90s and had a fantastic time. O how the world has changed.

  • @knownknot
    @knownknot 6 ปีที่แล้ว +32

    This is what happens with items that one tries to keep by registering with the " Government " !!!!!!!! remember

  • @murraypattison7471
    @murraypattison7471 6 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    It's a shame what happened to him. A disregard of the right to private ownership. It wasn't even able to fire its main gun.

  • @paulmurphy42
    @paulmurphy42 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Keep us posted Mark!

  • @guillermomaclachlan1072
    @guillermomaclachlan1072 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    ESSO had a slogan way back: ´´ Put a tiger in your tank ´´ this guy maybe didnt have a car back then so he did the next best thing! LOL

  • @redrobur68
    @redrobur68 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great job! I did not know anything about the "British" history of this tank. About the salvage of the tank was extensively reported in the German media. Also the lawyer of the owner was shown, who pointed out that his client was completely annoyed and was appalled by how the Bundeswehr handled the tank. Some neighbors of the owner were also interviewed. The owner was considered a bit strange, but friendly. Really everyone knew about the tank. The neighbors especially appreciated that the owner cleared the snow off the road for everyone with the tank in winter.
    As a Nazi, the owner does not seem to have made an appearance and we all on this channel will be able to understand his fascination for these things. In that sense, it is a pity and unfair that his collection was taken away from him.

  • @JohnDoe-ej9qd
    @JohnDoe-ej9qd 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Thank you for the tutorial! Before, my cat would hiss and bite at me whenever
    I tried to pick it up. Now, it does not hiss and bite at all! In fact,
    it does not even move a muscle anymore!

  • @mikemontgomery2654
    @mikemontgomery2654 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    I had no idea about this. Very fascinating case. Thank you Mr. Felton.

  • @TheCashman007
    @TheCashman007 5 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    that poor dude
    they need to give his stuff back !

    • @drsnova7313
      @drsnova7313 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      That "poor dude" needs to be in prison for breaking German laws on owning weapons of war. (No, not the tank).

  • @javiervonsydow
    @javiervonsydow 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Excellent reporting! Thank you for your dedication.

  • @evobsm2328
    @evobsm2328 5 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    He acquired it legally... and it was demilitarized.... yet it gets confiscated.... the governement is such a scam dangit... this stuff really gets me

  • @suzyqualcast6269
    @suzyqualcast6269 5 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    To begin: Thankyou for this clarification, possibly the withholding authorities may benefit by a watch? I've commented before but this 'thing' bugs me the more I consider the thing.
    Essentialy the Panther is a post war replica. It's recovery post post use is documented, authenticated > the lot, permits to own etc all sorted, whats the so called officials GAME here?
    As I've put elsewhere it smacks of the green gimlet eye of envy is the prime motivator behind this act of theft, how else could it be described?

  • @barrykevin7658
    @barrykevin7658 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Some big basements over there !

  • @alexsamu3478
    @alexsamu3478 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Such a beauty that panther......and the flak 8.8 too

  • @santasdeath1
    @santasdeath1 6 ปีที่แล้ว +35

    Wow chill government let him keep it

  • @davemis40
    @davemis40 4 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    Seems grossly unfair to take the tank off him when he’d legally bought and restored it ..

  • @tsumu._.
    @tsumu._. 6 ปีที่แล้ว +42

    Hmm? Raided as in breaking down doors guns drawn? Just to recover a wartime relic

    • @juststeve5542
      @juststeve5542 6 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      If someone kicked in my door with guns drawn I'd like to have a Panther I could get in and close the hatches too.

    • @Марсель-ж5ч
      @Марсель-ж5ч 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Nah, i think raided means them breaking down doors waving lawpapers and shouting

    • @Elenrai
      @Elenrai 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@juststeve5542 Would be kinda funny to see the faces of the GIGN as they descend into the basement, finding a panther, engine running, with an 88 pointed at them, as they hear someone inside just shouting "FUCK OFF!"

    • @Elenrai
      @Elenrai 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@Марсель-ж5ч I am fairly sure that is the default state of mind in many germans, irregardless of what is going on.

    • @louishall9224
      @louishall9224 6 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Elen Degenerate Cool comment ,But the panther didn’t have an 88,The caliber was 75mm

  • @kawasakikid9377
    @kawasakikid9377 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Absolutely love your videos Mark keep up the good work .....just donated to your cause

  • @michaelhorning6014
    @michaelhorning6014 6 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    He bought it legally and restored it. Why was it taken from him?

    • @1pcfred
      @1pcfred 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Apparently the National Socialists have taken power and they want their stuff back.

  • @dextertreehorn
    @dextertreehorn 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Heikendorf is a hero and a _real_ art lover!

    • @WillHayes44
      @WillHayes44 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Heikendorf is the name of the village, reading your comment, that's not the only thing you didn't get right.