Panzerhenker

On the twentieth of November
On the battle day at Cambrai
I am the tank executioner
Field gun nineteen-zero-two

I operate it alone
The battery in front of Flesquières
Shoot through direct aiming
Ten Mark Five already destroyed

The tank executioner
Stands in front of Flesquières
Seven centimeters
To destroy the British tanks

The tank executioner
Stands in front of Flesquières
Seven centimeters
To destroy the British tanks

Load the field grenade
Close the wedge lock
Peer through the periscope
Field gun ready to shoot

Targeting the Mark Five
The trajectory protected from the wind
Trigger activated
Ignition, ejection, hit

The crank-operated lock
Opened by the lever
Load anti-tank grenades
Setting at eight degrees angle

Two hundred fifty grams
TNT in the explosive shell
Flies in perfect spin
Destroys their tank convoy

The fourteenth shot
I open the lock
I am surprised
By the British shock troop

I pull the Zero-Eight
Gripping the handle tightly
I hear the gunfire
And feel my pulse racing

The tank executioner
Stands in front of Flesquières
Seven centimeters
To destroy the British tanks

The tank executioner
Stands in front of Flesquières
Seven centimeters
To destroy the British tanks

The battery surrounded
I stand in a rain of iron
No retreat for me
Defending myself with my life

Lying in cover
An enemy shot came
Driven into my body
My body now a bullet trap

The executioner's final tally
In the anti-tank battle
A total of fourteen tanks
Destroyed by his hand

The immense bravery
And the fight to the bitter end
Earned admiration
From allies of all ranks

Tank Executioner