Pather Tank at the Danube Bridgehead by Jason Askew. [Original Drawing]

Floridsdorf, Vienna, 3th April 1945. By mid April the Soviet assault had almost cleared German resistance from the south bank of the Danube. Only one small bridgehead remained open to allow troops a chance to escape, and this exit was defended by only 2 tanks and a few anti-tank guns. Defending the eastern approaches to the bridge was the Panther tank of SS Obersturmfurher Arnold Friesen, 2nd SS Panzer Division. Despite being only 19 he was a veteran of Kursk, Normandy, the Ardennes and Hungary with a tally of 97 tank kills to his credit. By the end of the day Friesen and his crew accounted for a further 14 soviet tanks, (the last two with panzerfausts), before covering the final withdrawal of the last German units across the bridge under cover of darkness.

Signed by :
Oberstleutnant Alfred Rubbel
and
Albert Kerscher (deceased).

Original pencil drawing by Jason Askew.

Pencil drawing image area size 25.5 inches x 17 inches (65cm x 43cm) Surrounded by coloured border, making the total paper size 35 inches x 23.5 inches (89cm x 63cm)