“For Lena” is an Me-BT 2 from the 11th Battle Tank division. She was named after the tank commander’s wife.
As per agreement with the British, the 11th Tank Division was sent to Africa in October of 1941.
“For Lena“‘s first shot wasn’t at a German tank though, but rather an M4 Sherman that had misidentified one of the other tanks for a Panzer 4 and opened fire.
In June 12, 1942, “For Lena“‘s section was ambushed by 10 Panzer 4s. The battalion managed to knock out 6 of them, but was eventually destroyed.
The driver was the sole survivor. He survived by bailing out of the tank. A German tank commander spotted him but let him go as the driver looked young. The driver was put in charge of another tank, which he had named to “For John and Lena” in memory of “For Lena“‘s tank commander.
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