The exact location of the illustrious Panther lost by Panzer-Brigade 106 FHH on March 8th, 1945 in the city centre of Bonn has now been established, both for the original place of loss and the spot it ended up after being moved after the war.
The Panther ended its service life in front of the old "Beethoven-Halle" concert hall at the Brückenstrasse (now Berliner Freiheit) at the western ramp of the Hindenburg-Brücke (now Kennedy-Brücke) leading across the Rhein river towards Bonn-Beuel. At least two pictures are known, published in various books such as Friedrich Bruns' unit history for PzBrig 106 FHH.
The old Beethoven-Halle had been completely destroyed in the massive air raid on October 18th, 1944, leaving only the facade with the distinct main gate standing.
The hall had been rebuilt after the war, but re-located further to the north to a street called Wachsbleiche, which was a bit misleading when trying to find the correct spot, since this area was far from the bridge across the Rhein river.
The clue came when reading the book "Bonn im Bombenhagel - 18. Oktober 1944", which gave the location as Brückenstrasse. This street had been re-named after the war as well, but the 1910 vintage picture with the streetcar standing in for the big cat finally confirmed the exact spot of the old hall. The distinct building complex at the old bridge can be identified in the distance in both pictures, as well as the main gate of the hall and the street lamps in front.
As the old bridge had been blown-up by the retreating German troops on March 8th, 1945, it is fair to assume that the Panther facing the western approach ramp - away from the enemy - was abandoned on retreat on the same day.
After the end of the hostilities, the wreck had been moved into a side street called Doetschstrasse (now re-named Am Boeselagerhof) in front of the remains of the massive Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Gymnasium school building. This building was also destroyed in the October 18th raid, the school later re-opened at a different spot in Bonn, which made the identification of the place the Panther was extensively photographed a bit difficult again.
The area changed its appearance after the war to an extent that Then-and-Now photography seems to be not that revealing on first sight.
Anyway, another picture in the above-mentioned book on bomb-damaged Bonn finally confirmed the correct spot beyond doubt, the distinctive curved outlined of the building protruding prominently from the devastated city. The large window holes can be seen on the aerial picture as well.
To give an impression of the overall destruction of the city centre, a before-and-after image of the October 18th raid is included.
The schoolbuilding can be made out among the ruins as well. Not one roof seems to be left intact after "urban renewal scheme courtesy of Bomber Command" had been completed.
