The World War II History Project, founded by Heather Steele, has been interviewing and running events for veterans since 2010. The project has interviewed over 200 veterans with equal numbers of Allied and German war survivors.  Several of English veterans interviewed were tank veterans, many of the Germans were Panzer veterans or Self-Propelled Gun crews. The Project has over 500 hours of video footage of these interviews.

One of their interviewees, Karl Friedrich “Charley” Koenig, is a German veteran who took part in 6 weeks of fighting in Tunisia at the end of the African campaign, in the 21^stPanzer Division, 5^th Panzer Regiment (Germany’s oldest). He fought in a Panzer IV long-barrel against both the British and Americans.  In early May 1943, he became a prisoner-of-war and was transported to the US, where he was interned before being shipped through Belgium to England for a year.  He returned home to Germany in 1947 to work at the same company where Hans von Luck the author of “Panzer Commander” worked.  They were good friends, and he was a pallbearer at von Luck’s funeral.  He is fluent in English, as well as an avid adventurer.

Twenty-five years ago, Charley reached out to the British Sherwood Rangers Tank Regiment, against whom he fought in the desert. They became the best friends of his life. Now, only one Sherwood Ranger is left; Graham Stevenson, who fought two years in the desert – including at El Alamein – and then trained in the swimming Sherman-DD tanks which his regiment brought in to Gold Beach on D-Day.  Graham was wounded in the bocage in Normandy in June 1944 by German machine gun fire, knocking him out of the war.  Every year, however, he strives to come back to Normandy for the ceremonies at Gold Beach, Bayeux, and Tilly-sur-Seulles, and the World War II History Project brings Charley there, so they can be reunited.

This year will be the 75^th anniversary of their fight in the desert and the Project is bringing them together to celebrate. We were delighted to welcome them to Armourgeddon Military Museum for a visit, and an interview in front of the legendary Sherman Tank here on site.

Charley and Graham were really entertaining to have visit the museum. The information they gave about their time in the Sherman and in battle, the stories of camaraderie and strength in adversity were both awe-inspiring and humbling. We feel very honoured that the WWII Project team chose to bring the veterans to the museum at Armourgeddon on their way to the 75-year celebrations in Normandy.

More information can be found about this fascinating project at their website: World War II History Project

Armourgeddon is The Home of Tank Paintball with Armourgeddon Military Museum- the largest collection of Military Vehicles and Military items in central England also on site. Armourgeddon is located just outside Husbands Bosworth, 10 minutes from the M1 junction 20, 30 minutes from Leicester and Northampton.

Armourgeddon Military Museum is open daily from April to November and by appointment at all other times. For group tours and events, please contact Armourgeddon on 01858 880239. Entrance to the museum is £6 per person. Under 5s enter for free as do those booked onto one of our tank driving or tank paintball activities.