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| Lt. Karl Kellner was a 3rd Armored Division Sherman tank commander. He is shown here on the right bailing out of his tank after it was hit by a Panther tank shell. He did not survive his wounds. "Duel at the Cathedral" documentary video https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/45303789/karl-e-kellner https://www.worldwarmedia.com/2018/05/07/cologne-1945-the-last-battle/ |
Karl Kellner never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
He was born on November 29, 1918 in Wisconsin. His parents Edmund and Cecelia were also both born in Wisconsin. Three of his grandparents were born in southern Germany. His father worked as a wood shop pattern maker. Karl had one older sister, one younger sister, and one younger brother. By 1940 Karl had completed four years of high school. He was living with his parents and worked as a deliveryman.
He was drafted into the army on June 13, 1941. He was recognized as officer material and became a second lieutenant in Company F, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Armored Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Division. In late February 1945 he was given command of a Sherman tank.
Eight days later on March 6, 1945, Lt Kellner was directing the lead tank accompanied by a second Sherman and one of the few technologically superior Pershing tanks that arrived in Europe before the war ended. Because the tanks were moving in on the historic cathedral in Cologne, it attracted a convoy of journalists who wanted to be the first to the cathedral. One of the journalists was Andy Rooney, later famous for his 60 Minutes commentaries. He was a witness to Lt. Kellner's death. The tanks did not bring infantry as was normally the practice. The bridges had been blown and perhaps they thought the Germans were gone.
What everyone assumed to be a knocked out Panther tank on the other side of destroyed buildings fired through the ruble and managed to knock out both Lt. Kellner's tank and the second Sherman as well. The Pershing came up a different street and managed to destroy the Panther.
We live in a day when we expect everything to be caught on camera. With everyone carrying cameras on their smart phones, nearly any event of note is captured. This was rarely the case in World War 2. However, Lt. Kellner's advance was captured on film by the trailing journalists. You can see him climbing out of his tank after it was hit. (See the original war footage here at the 2:20 mark.) One of the photos of this attack became quite well known (see above). There is even a multipart documentary about the engagement by the name of Duel at the Cathedral. You can watch it on Amazon here.
Unfortunately, Lt. Kellner did not survive his wound and died before medics could provide aid. He was awarded the Silver Star but I was not able to find the citation.
His grave is at Calvary Cemetery in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.
Last year on this date I profiled B-17 flight engineer August Rieke whose final mission was the costly Schweinfurt bombing mission. You can read about August here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
Thank you for answering the call to defend our freedom. You served with honor and strength in the performance of your duties and gave your all for the freedom that we enjoy today. The younger generations sadly does realize what was at stake during WW2 and what real evil looks like.
ReplyDeleteBelieve me, some of us young people certainly do realise how much the generations who lived and fought through ww2 sacrificed, suffered and fought. I tip my hat, to the greatest generations of people that ever lived.
DeleteMy Grandpa is in the famous picture of the tanks. He's the one running towards the camera. He was also a Tank Commander. I've heard a little bit different version as to what happened that day, but it's not too far off what is printed here.
ReplyDeleteJames, thanks for sharing this comment. Since March 2020, I have moved on from this blog and created a project to honor all the 400,000+ US WWII fallen. You can find it at www.storiesbehindthestars.org
DeleteAs Carl Kellner's great nephew, we thank you for the recognition. When we discovered the video footage about 5 years ago, we couldn't believe it existed. The family story about his death was incorrect. I read elsewhere that the Panther's treads were off and that the turret was the only functional part.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this comment. You should visit www.storiesbehindthestars.org to learn about the project to write stories like this for all the 400,000+ US WWII fallen. Have you read Adam Makos's book Spearhead? It is about this engagement.
DeleteRemembering Lt. Kellner this Memorial Day weekend. I read about him several years ago and always remember him and his comrades this time of the year. To those fallen, thank you for your service and sacrifice. My father was with the 3rd Battalion elsewhere in Cologne that day.
ReplyDeleteInteresting Larry, that you thought of this today, 5/28/21. I recalled this this morning as well (same day). I first discovered the story several years ago. As I was thinking about great Memorial Day stories, I just happened to hit upon this site giving further info on the Cologne tank battle. I've watched the 10+ minute video of the battle here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHs5RI9zaiQ
ReplyDeletePerhaps you've seen it, too.
Blessings Larry, and have a great Memorial Day.
Hi dspaugh, yes I have seen the video too. Warm wishes to you. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteKarl Kellner represents the thousands of German Americans who fought in the United States Army and gave their life for their country. I'm the son and nephew of two Italian American soldiers who fought in Europe and Asia. Let's not forget their sacrifice and willingness to battle the Nazis and the fascists that control their ancestors homeland.
ReplyDelete