Panzerlied

The "Panzerlied" ('Tank Song') is a Wehrmacht march of the Nazi era, sung primarily by the Panzerwaffe—the tank force of Nazi Germany during World War II. It is one of the best-known songs of the Wehrmacht and was popularised by the 1965 film Battle of the Bulge. It was composed by Oberleutnant Kurt Wiehle in 1933.

Das Panzerlied

English: 'The Tank Song'
Military anthem of the Panzerwaffe
Music	Kurt Wiehle, 1933
Audio sample
Instrumental rendition in A-flat minor file help

It is still used today by the Chilean and Brazilian armies. The modern-day German Army has discontinued its use as Nazi symbols are banned in modern Germany.

History

The "Tank Song" was composed in 1933 by Oberleutnant Kurt Wiehle. In 2017, the German Army was banned from publishing song books containing Panzerlied and other marching songs by the Minister of Defence Ursula von der Leyen as part of new efforts at denazification.

The song is sung by some motorised and parachute units of the Italian Army, most especially by the 185th Infantry Division "Folgore" under the title of "Sui Monti e Sui Mar". In France, the lyrics were adapted slightly to become the "Marche des Chars" used by the 501e régiment de chars de combat. The half portion of the song was used for Namibian patriotic song and unofficial anthem under South African rule, "The Southwestern Song". In the Brazilian Army, motorised and parachute units used the tune under the title "Canção da Tropa Blindada". A Spanish translation of the song is used by the Chilean Army as an armoured cavalry march, and by the Chilean Naval Academy as a pasacalle. French Foreign Legion also has this song in their repertoire under the name Kepi Blanc.

The lyrics to "Panzerlied" were adapted to fit a Kriegsmarine song.

Lyrics

German original

English translation

I Ob’s stürmt oder schneit, Ob die Sonne uns lacht, Der Tag glühend heiß Oder eiskalt die Nacht, Verstaubt sind die Gesichter, Doch froh ist unser Sinn, Ja unser Sinn. Es braust unser Panzer Im Sturmwind dahin. II Mit donnernden Motoren, Geschwind wie der Blitz, Dem Feinde entgegen, Im Panzer geschützt. Voraus den Kameraden, Im Kampf steh'n wir allein, Steh'n wir allein, So stoßen wir tief In die feindlichen Reih'n. III Wenn vor uns ein feindliches Heer dann erscheint, Wird Vollgas gegeben Und ran an den Feind! Was gilt denn unser Leben Für uns'res Reiches Heer? Ja Reiches Heer Für Deutschland zu sterben Ist uns höchste Ehr'. IV Mit Sperren und Minen Hält der Gegner uns auf, Wir lachen darüber Und fahren nicht drauf. Und droh'n vor uns Geschütze, Versteckt im gelben Sand, Im gelben Sand, Wir suchen uns Wege, Die keiner sonst fand. V Und läßt uns im Stich Einst das treulose Glück, Und kehren wir nicht mehr Zur Heimat zurück, Trifft uns die Todeskugel, Ruft uns das Schicksal ab, Ja Schicksal ab, Dann wird uns der Panzer Ein ehernes Grab.

I Whether it storms or snows, Whether the sun smiles upon us, In the scorching heat of the day, Or the freezing cold of the night, Dusty are the faces, But joyful are our minds, Yes, our minds. There our tank roars, Amidst the storm winds. II With thundering engines, Quick as lightning, Towards the enemy, Protected in the tank. Ahead of our comrades, In combat alone we stand, Alone we stand. So deep we strike Into the enemy's ranks. III If an enemy army appears before us, We shall go full throttle and attack the enemy! What then do our lives count for, For our empire's army? Yes, the empire's army. To die for Germany Is our highest honour. IV With obstacles and mines the opponent holds us up, We laugh about it and onto them, drive not. And guns before us threaten, Hidden in the yellow sand, In the yellow sand. We are looking for ways No others have found. V And should we get abandoned once by treacherous luck, And return we will no more, Back to home, Hitting us, the deathly bullet, Fate calls us away, Yes, fate away. Then becomes the tank for us, an honorable iron grave.