A long-dismissed local legend in the village of Świerczów in south-western Poland has taken a dramatic turn, after amateur historians uncovered what appear to be the remains of a World War II-era tank buried beneath a residential garden.
The discovery was made by members of the “Bats” Exploration and Search Group, who were following up on a story passed down through generations. According to the account, parts of a military vehicle had been left behind on private land decades ago—an idea many residents had come to regard as little more than folklore.
Mariusz Kłakulak from the group received a call from the granddaughter of a witness and decided to investigate further. When he arrived, two teenagers—Antek and Patryk—were already digging. They had grown up hearing the same story and wanted to see if there was any truth to the stories. Using a metal detector, they had picked up a strong signal in a residential garden and started clearing soil from the area.
It didn’t take long before they hit metal. At first, it looked like scrap. But as they kept digging, the pieces became larger and more distinct. The shape and weight of the objects made it clear they were parts of something much bigger.
So far, the group has recovered a gearbox with an axle, four wheels, several gears and bearings, and part of a track. There are also smaller fragments that still need to be identified.
Early indications suggest the remains could come from a Soviet T-34 tank or possibly an IS-type vehicle. A more detailed examination will be needed to confirm that.
The family’s account fits what has been found. According to Patrycja Suchorska, a tank broke down on the property sometime in the 1950s. Soldiers removed what they could but left behind heavier parts. With no way to move them, her grandfather, Piotr Szpulak, and his sons buried the remains in a pit.
Over time, the story faded. Some people remembered it, others didn’t believe it. It became one of those local tales that sounded interesting but unlikely. Now there is physical evidence.
Kłakulak said the discovery wouldn’t have happened without the two teenagers. They had already narrowed down the location before the rest of the group got involved.
There may be more still underground. According to the original story, larger sections—possibly even a turret—could be buried somewhere nearby, though that has not been confirmed.
For now, the find has drawn attention to the area and raised questions about what else might still be hidden. No official decision has been made on whether the site will be examined further.
For residents, the discovery has changed how they see a familiar story. What was once passed around as a rumour has turned out to be real, buried just below the surface for decades.
Sources : Zwiadowca Historii
