German soldier single handedly took out 100 soldiers and 13 tanks before his rescue

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception



Fritz Christen was a soldier in the Waffen-SS in World War II.  He achieved one of the most legendary military feats of all time.

While on the Eastern front his German division engaged a Soviet target north of the village Lushno. Christen’s division was equipped to take out tanks, yet the Soviets came on so strong that in short time every man was dead except Christen.

He manned a 50mm cannon by himself without supplies or provisions for three days.

No German troops witnessed the spectacle, but when they finally arrived they found Christen alive having held off a Soviet advance. Alone with a single cannon, Christen killed over 100 enemy soldiers and destroyed 13 tanks!

For his fortitude, he was personally awarded the Knight’s Cross by Hitler, the first enlisted man of his division to be so awarded.