Maximillian Weisemann
Maximillian Weisemann is a famed tank commander of the Imperial Guard from the planet of Konig Prime and has since earned the status of tank ace, most famously piloting the Baneblade super-heavy tank.1
Of noble heritage, his first military service came in the Konig Prime Planetary Defense Forces at age 14. At 18, he was drafted into the Imperial Guard where he first piloted the Leman Russ Battle Tank. After scoring a kill total of 98 enemy vehicles during the three year old Balor Campaign, Weisemann was promoted to a super heavy tank Regiment and took command of Baneblade #212, 'Arethusa'. As a commander, Weisemann was a stern and unforgiving man and demanded strict discipline from his crew.1
Weisemann's career would come to an illustrious end on Colonia, which at the time was under attack from Ork forces under the Warboss Gharag Badtoof. Supporting the 7th Mortant regiment in his Baneblade, Weisemann decided to strike first at the mustering Ork forces and caught them by complete surprise, destroying three battlewagons and eight warbuggies. Advancing to the heart of the Ork force by a bridge, Weisemann's Baneblade engaged the Orks until it was down to just seven rounds of ammunition for its main cannon. When the tanks driver was wounded by fire, the Baneblade swung off the road and ran into the boggy ground. Effectively stuck, Weisemann and his crew fought off attacks from Ork Tankbustas and fighta-bommers.1
Weisemann and his crew abandoned the tank before it exploded under the aerial bombardment, but two of his crewmen didn't make it and many more were wounded and unable to move any further. Weisemann ordered the able survivors to fall back to Imperial lines while he would remain with his burning hulk of a tank and the wounded men, to defend them until relief arrived. It took the 7th Mortant Regiment two months of hard fighting to finally reach the bridge and the twisted wreck of Baneblade 212 Arethusa. But of Weisemann and his wounded crew there was no sign. His body was never recovered and to this day his fate remains a mystery.1
