Tri-Service

45-ton Panther Tank & Anti Aircraft Gun Seized From German Pensioner

Whilst many people use their basements to store their collectables, one 78-year-old German pensioner chose to store a Nazi-era tank in his basement.

It seems the tank's presence was widely known in the local community. Several German media reports cite residents that saw the man driving it around town about 30 years ago

The man had also been keeping an anti-aircraft gun in his basement.

Up to 20 soldiers battled to remove the tank from a villa on Thursday in the wealthy district of Kiel in northern Germany.

Prosecutors are investigating whether the man's military collection violates Germany's War Weapons Control Act. But his lawyer says the weapons are no longer functional, therefore shouldn't be restricted.

The collector came to authorities’ attention in an investigation into black market Nazi-era art that in May turned up two massive bronze horse statues that once stood in front of Adolf Hitler’s chancellery.

Images provided courtesy of Twitter user @Qubine