Sunday, November 13, 2022

Anti-Tank Ace: Reinhard Melzer and Theodor Schwalbach

The 8.8 cm Flak gun achieved the greatest success in North Africa. The crew of this gun have over a dozen or so victory markings painted on the gun barrel. From left to right: Unteroffizier Reinhard Melzer (Geschützführer in 1.Batterie / I.Abteilung / Flak-Regiment 33 [motorisiert]) and Oberleutnant Theodor Schwabach (Chef 1.Batterie / I.Abteilung / Flak-Regiment 33 [motorisiert]). Unteroffizier Melzer has, on his own initiative, striven to fight in the foremost battle line at its most active points, and as a gun commander he has been responsible for the destruction of at least 13 enemy tanks. His Abteilung commander, Hauptmann Walter Fromm, received the Ritterkreuz on 5 July 1941. Oberleutnant Schwabach, the Batterie commander of Reinhard Melzer, was likewise decorated with the Ritterkreuz on 30 June 1941, same as Melzer. Melzer destroyed his 13 tanks during the time period 15-17 June 1941, during the battle of Sollum.

Source :
https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/88-flak-18-flak-36-and-flak-37/
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/48113/Schwabach-Theodor-Theo-Flak.htm
https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/68885/Melzer-Reinhard.htm

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