Martin Lange

If I wouldn't have met Martin Lange by coincidence on one of my trips to the Panzermuseum in Munster in September 2003, this book may never have been written. Martin Lange was still regularly helping restore the German tanks of the museum. Because he was talking about the tanks there and was a member of the famous Pz.Abt.52 which went into combat with the very first Panther tanks I dared to ask him if he would agree on an interview which would result in a small booklet about German Tank Maintenance in WWII. Instead of a 30 page script with an edition of 30 copies we now have a 210 page book with a 2000 copy edition.

Martin Lange was born on March 11th, 1924, in Klein Gaffron (Silesia). After he had finished his apprenticeship as a car mechanic, he was ordered to the Panzer-Ersatz-Abteilung 15 in Sagan, on October 16th 1942. As Panzerschlosser (tank mechanic) he took part in the refitting of the first Panthers in Grafenwöhr which was necessary after the first trials of the tanks. From July 5th onwards he went into action during operation Zitadelle. After the battle of Kursk, Pz.Abt.52 was integrated into the 11.Pz.Div. again, in which Martin Lange served until the end of the war.

At the end of the war, Martin Lange was Obergefreiter (Lance Corporal) and got the Panzerkampfabzeichen in Silber and the Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2nd Class with swords.

Martin Lange died suddenly of stomach cancer on the 11th of May 2004.