The Pole vs. The Prince: TKS Tankette Action 1939

Hear the incredible story of WWII's tiniest tank, the TKS Tankette, and the Polish sergeant who used it to destroy multiple German tanks in September 1939, including his famous duel with a German prince commanding a formidable Panzer IV.

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Special thanks to Dr. Filip Doroszewski, Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw, Poland

Thumbnail: Courtesy Polish Ministry of National Defence

[nicholasmelby]

I'm surprised that little tankette had room for Orlik's massive balls!

[rickriede]

I suppose Sgt Orliks attempt to save the young prince from his fiery coffin would also make him a noble man.

[killraven]

So does this technically make him a tankette ace?

[JamesLaserpimpWalsh]

A true professional works with what he's got and gets the job done. Great video.

[dmgill]

Perhaps i'm looking in the wrong places, but it seems that information about the Polish resistance during the invasion has been criminally underreported until the last couple of years. I'm glad you made this video about one instance of it.

[thedungeondelver]

So we've got a video about an M8 Greyhound taking down a Tiger, and now a TKS taking down a Panzer-IV. Mark's next video? How two British soldiers in a Bren carrier disabled a King Tiger using only water balloons and harsh language :D

[rafael]

Its impressive how strongly and fiercely the Polish defended their country.Destroying a Panzer IV with a TKS and taking down a Jet with a Biplane, Truthfully a Strong Nation. Respect from Brazil.

[russwoodward]

The Poles did put up a heck of a defense given the odds, a fact little noted in history previously. This is only one of the reasons I so appreciate Dr. Felton's videos and books.

[oldgreggscreamybaileys]

The Prince fought and died for a idea he didn’t believe in. I’m also sure that was true for many men.

[gregszy]

As Polish Canadian i know the story but still liked to hear it again. Thanks. I like this channel and find the music very adequate the subject(s)

[HappyFlapps]

Mark - Thank you so much for this story! The Polish campaign's native heroes are mostly forgotten by history. WW2 was such an awful time where young men killed other young men with such ferocity and efficiency.

[cookiekillah]

Very intresting video, many people forget that poland put up stiff resistance to the German invasion, videos like this commemorate and show that the poles fought valiantly with whatever they had :)

[joelrodriguez]

Love your channel because of stories like this.

[Curien]

Hell of a story, hell of a life, deserves a movie at least.

[kameronci]

I can not praise mark enough! these videos are wonderful pieces of history Mark you are building a legacy that will last forever. bless you sir

[badchess]

Glad he survived and didn't wind up buried at Katyn.

[FlyxPat]

Nice! More on Poland please! And any other stories of heroic resistance by Dutch, Belgian, Danish, Norwegian, Yugoslav, Greek fighters

[Olle_Svenska]

A true Hero. With much Respect from Germany.
I play "World of Tanks", and the TKS 20 is always the one I begin with every Day to warm up. ^^

[waltski]

Textbook case of "it is not the size of the tank that matters, but the size of the fight within the tank". Ingenuity, knowledge of terrain, and, at times, guile are very valuable for a commander.

[al_lahn]

I saw one of these Polish tankettes at Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory museum a couple of years ago and wondered what effect they had on German armor. Now I know!