NMP deserter, Trooper Hans Panzer

Posts : 947 Join date : 2011-10-21 Location : Algoa Bay

Hi Brett,
I hope that you are well.
Do you have anything on the records about NMP Trooper Hans Panzer, a German National It appears that he deserted sometime in the mid '70's and was nearly arrested in Amatongaland in the mid '80's but skllfully evaded capture.

regards

barry

Posts : 269 Join date : 2010-12-02 Location : Kloof, KZN

Hi Barry

I have nothing on Tpr Panzer. Presumably you have tried the PMB Archives?

The mention of Tongaland is interesting. There was a NMP Sergeant who deserted in the early 1880's. He made good his escape to Swaziland, where he found refuge at "McNabs", an outpost near the Zululand border from which various activities (legal and otherwise) were transacted with neighbouring areas, presumably including Tongaland. The book, 'Biographical Register of Swaziland to 1902' by Huw M Jones contains a great deal of information on that part of southern Africa in the late 1800's. Unfotunately, Panzer is not in the index.

Regards
Brett

Posts : 947 Join date : 2011-10-21 Location : Algoa Bay

Hi Brett,
Thanks for the response, and the book reference. Yes, that little neck of the woods between the countries was a very convenient refuge for many near-do-wells. As recently as the late '90's unidentified very old human remains were found up on top of the nearby Ubombo range, bones by then a bit scattered having being chewed by the vultures, but with a loaded and rusty 8mm German Mauser at its side and a small leather bag of diamonds.
I am beginning to think that this Panzer character may have have well been none other than Fritz Kurtz, aka Baron von Weltheim, a renegade Prussian army officer and a well known "no good" prior to the turn of the century.

regards,

barry

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