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Germany's Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausf E, SdKfz 181, Tiger
PzKpfw VI Ausf E, SdKfz 181
PzKpfw VI Ausf E, Tiger I, turret facing towards rear:  United States Army in World War II, Pictorial Record, The War Against Germany and Italy: Mediterranean and Adjacent Areas, 1951, pg 41 |
PzKpfw VI Ausf E, Tiger I, same tank with turret facing forward:  United States Army in World War II, Pictorial Record, The War Against Germany and Italy: Mediterranean and Adjacent Areas, 1951, pg 41 |
PzKpfw VI Ausf E, Tiger I: |
PzKpfw VI Ausf E, Tiger I: |
PzKpfw VI Ausf E, Tiger I: |
PzKpfw VI Ausf E, Tiger I: |
PzKpfw VI Ausf E, Tiger I: |
PzKpfw VI Ausf E, Tiger I: |
PzKpfw VI Ausf E, Tiger I: |
PzKpfw VI Ausf E, Tiger I: |
PzKpfw VI Ausf E, Tiger I: |
PzKpfw VI Ausf E, Tiger I: |
PzKpfw VI Ausf E, Tiger I: |
PzKpfw VI Ausf E, Tiger I: |
PzKpfw VI Ausf E, Tiger I: |
PzKpfw VI Ausf E, Tiger I: |
PzKpfw VI Ausf E, Tiger I: |
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PzKpfw VI Ausf E, Tiger I as a member of the sPzAbt 502 outside Leningrad in 1943. |
PzKpfw VI Ausf E, Tiger I as a member of the sPzAbt 509 outside of Zhitomir in the Ukraine at the end of 1943. |
PzKpfw VI Ausf E, Tiger I in the summer of 1943. |
PzKpfw VI Ausf E, Tiger I in the 101st SS Heavy Panzer Battalion. |
PzKpfw VI Ausf E, Tiger I in the Das Reich Division. |
PzKpfw VI Ausf E, Tiger I: |
PzKpfw VI Ausf E, Tiger I: |
PzKpfw VI Ausf E, Tiger I in a Normandy orchard in the summer of 1944. Note the Zimmerit coating. |
PzKpfw VI Ausf E, Tiger I in Normandy with heavy camouflage |
PzKpfw VI Ausf E, Tiger I in Normandy. |
PzKpfw VI Ausf E, Tiger I in Wittmann's company. |
PzKpfw VI Ausf E, Tiger I: |
PzKpfw VI Ausf E with Gross Deutschland:  |
In 1937 Henschel was instructed to design and build a prototype of a 30-33 ton tank to be the successor to the PzKpfw IV.8,9 It was initially named the Durchbrüchswagen I (breakthrough vehicle).9One chassis with interleaved road wheels had been built, but in 1938 this was suspended to work on a 65 ton tank. However, after 2 prototypes were undergoing trials this project was canceled and development on the original DW 1 resumed. By 1940 Henschel had improved the design that it was designated the DW 2.9 It originally carried a short 75 mm gun. Trials were carried out until 1941 when an order was placed for a new design that virtually described the DW 2. Porsche, MAN, and Daimler-Benz were asked to submit designs as well.
Henschel built 2 new prototypes in March 1941, and 2 more in October 1941. It had a superstructure similar to the PzKpfw IV and the suspension had 7 interleaved road wheels and 3 return rollers on each side.9 It was to carry to 75 mm L/489, however with the invasion of Russia and their T-34/76s, it quickly become obsolete and development was discontinued. Two of these prototypes were lengthened and mounted a 128 mm K 40 gun and were used in Russia in 1942.
Porsche developed a turretless prototype known as the Leopard or Type 100. Used new petrol-electric drive and longitudinal torsion bar suspension.
MAN and Daimler-Benz had similar designs but these were quickly found to be obsolete.
Contract with Henschel
The Weapons Department contracted with Henschel to develop the VK3601.8 This was to be a vehicle that weighed 36-40 tons and would mount a tapered bore 60 mm or 70 mm gun.8 It was also to have a speed of 25 mph as directed by Hitler.9 The VK3601 was soon abandoned as the taper bored gun required ammunition that used tungsten steel, which was in very short supply.8 However, the Germany Army didn't want to abandon all of Henschel's work, so they were awarded a contract that was to be designated the VK4501(H).8 This was to use the same chassis as the VK3601 but with a 88 mm gun.8,9
Henschel was able to take the best features from their earlier designs and built 2 models. The H1 mounted the 88 mm KwK 36 L/56 and a wooden model H2 which had a 75 mm KwK L/70.
Henschel had a prototype developed by March 1942.
Contract with Porsche
The VK3001(P) had longitudinal torsion bar suspension and gasoline-electric drive.9
Porsche received a contract to develop the VK4501 that would be a vehicle that weighed 45 tons and mounted an 88 mm gun.89
Trials of Prototypes
On April 20, 1942, Hitler observed the trails of the prototypes at Rastenburg in East Prussia.8,9 Henschel's performed slightly better than the Porsche prototype, and it was also considered easier to mass produce by German industry.8
Henschel was given an order for 1,500.8 Before the trials took place Porsche had been given an order for 90 pre-production versions, however this order was cancelled.8 The German Army didn't want to throw away the partially completed Porsche chassis, so they were converted into the Ferdinand tank destroyer.8
Production starts
Production started in August 1942, and would continue until June 1944.8 1,354 were completed by Henschel.8
Production started in August 1942, and would continue until August 1944.9 1,350 were built.9
Transporting
Standard German railway flatcars couldn't carry the tank as it was to wide.8 Henschel designed a travel track, which was installed with the outer road wheels being removed.8 This allowed for it to be transported by train.8
Wading
Because the Tiger was so heavy, and couldn't cross most European bridges, they were outfitted with wading equipment which allowed it to cross water obstacles by moving along the river bed.8 Though this only allowed to a depth of 13' 6"/ 4.1 m.8 This equipment was expensive to make and also was little used, so after the first 495 tanks that were produced, it was no longer included.8
Compartments
In the front of the hull were two compartments which had the driver and hull gunner.9 Then there was the central fighting compartment with the turret.9 At the rear was the engine compartment with the engine.9
The floor of the fighting compartment was suspended by 3 steel tubes and rotated with the turret.9 The sides of the turret were formed by a 82 mm plate that was curved. This was joined in the front by 100 mm plate. Turret was very slow in moving and it took 2 turns of the traversing wheel (one by gunner and one emergency one by commander) to move 1 degree. A hydraulic power traverse, which took its power from the gearbox, was used and operated by a foot lever by the gunner's right foot. If the engine was off the turret could be turned by hand.
Flat sections of armor were used in the hull to help simplify production. The superstructure was welded to the hull, whereas previous PzKpfw models were bolted. The bottom plate was cut from a single piece of 25 mm homogeneous steel that was 5 m long and 1.8 m wide. This would add to the rigidity of the Tiger.
Suspension
First German tank to have over-lapping road wheels.9 The drawback was that the wheels could get packed with snow and mud.9
Sometimes the buildup of debris between the wheels caused the track to ride up and over the sprocket teeth and jam. The tension was such that it couldn't be freed by releasing the tension on the idler wheel, or by removing a track pin. It could be possible to tow the disabled Tiger but some choose to place an explosive under the track to blow out a link. This was a last resort if the other alternative was to abandon the tank.
There were eight torsion bar axles on each side that were staggered.9 The right side trailed to the rear and the left side towards the front.9
Steering
The driver was on the left and used a steering wheel which acted on the differential steering unit.9
Emergency steering was provided by 2 steering levers. A visor was provided in the front vertical plate. Episcopes were located in the escape hatches for the driver and radio operator. There was a gearbox in between them that virtually separated them.
Self Defense
Early models had 5 "S" mine discharges on top of the superstructure. It would be shot up approximately 3 to 5 feet where it would explode sending 360 3/8" steel balls into attacking infantry. In late 1943 this was replaced by a Nahverteidigungswaffe (close-in defense weapon) which was installed in the turret roof in place of the extractor fan, which moved to the center. It could be loaded from the inside.
Performance
The firepower and protection were second to none, however, the Tiger I was underpowered, mechanically unreliable, and consumed mass amounts of fuel.8 With a trained crew it was a formidable opponent, but as the casualties mounted, so did the loss of the trained crews.
Main Gun
The 88 mm gun could penetrate 112 mm / 4" at 450 m / 492 yards.10 The AP round weighed 22.05 lbs. and had a muzzle velocity of 2,559'/sec.11
Usage
The Tigers that were used in North Africa had special Feifel air systems installed. There were attached to the rear of the hull and linked to the engine by a cover plate. These were known as the Tiger (Tp).
However the layout of the rubber tired wheels did give it a smooth and steady ride. In March 1944 (after vehicle 825) all steel wheels were installed and this allowed the outside wheels to be removed.
Original engine was Maybach 12 cylinder HL 210 P45. Late models had Panther type cupola, all steel wheels, elimination of wading tube (allowed oxygen down to 13'), and elimination of original filter system.
First Use
In August 1942, the first 4 production vehicles equipped one platoon of the 1 Company/502nd schwere Panzerabteilung and were sent to Russia at the request of Hitler.8,128 This was against the advice of the Wehrmacht who wanted to build up the strength of them and use them in the summer offensives in 1943.
On August 29, they joined Army Group North south of Lake Ladoga.8 During the 1st week of September, 1 Tiger (the other 3 were temporarily out of commission) went on an uneventful security patrol. The first action was around Leningrad on September 23, 1942. The attack took place on flat road through a swampy area where the Russian gunners were able to stop them by shooting at their tracks8,9.
The 503rd Heavy Tank Battalion was sent to the southern part of the Eastern Front in December 1942.8 It was sent to help with the counter attacked that was to break the ring around Stalingrad.8
Africa
Encountered by British near Pont du Fahs, Tunisia in February 1943 in Tiger Unit 501. The 2 Tigers that were sent into this battle, accompanied by 9 PzKpfw IIIs & IVs, were knocked out by British 6 pounder guns, of the 72nd Anti-tank Regiment, RA8, at a range of 500 yards against the flanks of the Tigers.
It was found that extensive reconnaissance was needed to determine if the terrain was going to be suitable for the heavy Tigers.8 Often the Tigers were placed in the rear of a wedge of Panzer IIIs and IVs.8 The Panzer IIIs and IVs were to secure the flanks from anti-tank guns and the Tigers to give the main fire support.8
Saw combat in all theaters after that.
Surpassed on the Eastern Front
In May 1944, at Targul Frumos, Romania, Tigers went up against Russian IS-II tanks.8 Much to their surprise they found that they had to get within 1,800 m/5,904' to be able to penetrate the IS-II's armor.8 This made the Tigers vulnerable to the IS-II's 122 mm guns.8
Difficulties in Italy
Between May 23 and 25, 1944, the 3rd Company of the 506th Heavy Tank Battalion, with 16 Tigers, fought around Cori.8 They advanced across a railway embankment to engage Allied tanks, and two had track problems and a third had gearbox failure.8 Then two other Tigers came down the embankment and jammed the barrels of their gun into the ground.8 These had to be towed away.8 Six Shermans were eventually knocked out.8 Allied artillery fire knocked out another Tiger and the next day another was destroyed by its crew after being disabled by an anti-tank gun.8 The company was given the order to withdraw, and five Tigers covered six Tigers who tried to tow 3 disabled ones at the embankment.8 Four of those broke down.8 The original three were destroyed, and the remaining 2 Tigers towed the other four clear.8 By the time they got back to Cori, two of the rearguard were disabled by Allied fire and a gearbox failure, and one of the towing Tigers broke down too.8 The Germans were unable to repair their disabled tanks and had to destroy them before finally retreating.8 Out of the 12 Tigers that had been lost, only 3 of them were due to Allied fire.8
In Normandy
Here the Tigers were deployed in more defensive formations and thus broke down less.8 Many of the Allies became very fearful and claimed that Tigers were all over the front lines, when in fact less than 90 were ever present.8
British commanders were very concerned about their troops Tiger-phobia.8 General Montgomery even went as far as to ban all combat reports telling of the Tigers prowess.8 On June 12, the British observed one Tiger fire for an hour, and then drive away unmolested as no British tank in the area wanted to battle it.8
The 316th Heavy Tank Company of the Panzer Lehr had two Tigers.8 The 101st SS, 102nd SS, and Germany Army 503rd Heavy Tank Battalions had a maximum of 45 each.8
Wittman at Villers Bocage
Obersturmführer Michael Wittman was the commander of the 2nd Company of the 101st SS Heavy Tank Battalion.8,12
On June 13, 1944, Wittman was conducting a reconnaissance when he saw the British 22nd Armored Brigade of the 7th Armored Division (Desert Rats).8 Wittman was completely surprised that they had stopped for a tea break.8 He and four nearby Tigers from his company advanced down a hill toward the town of Villers Bocage.8 Wittman knocked out three Churchills of the 22nd Brigade's HQ Squadron.8 A fourth escaped, but Wittman knocked it out later as he headed east.8 He burst out of the woods and within two minutes destroyed 12 vehicles.8 Soon the four Tigers joined in, and another eight Tigers from the 1st Company supported from a distance.8 A total of 28 vehicles had been destroyed of the 'A' Squadron of the County of London Yeomanry.8
Wittman, two Tigers, and a Panzer IV entered Villers Bocage.8 There a Sherman Firefly, three Churchills, and a 6-pounder anti-tank gun were waiting in the side streets to ambush them.8 Wittman's Tiger was immobilized by the anti-tank gun and one of the Tigers ran into a building that collapsed onto the anti-tank gun.8 The Firefly knocked out the Panzer IV and a Tiger.8
Wittman was credited with 119 kills on the Eastern Front and 20 in Normany.8
Operation "Goodwood"
On July 18, 1944, the assault to outflank Caen commenced.8 2,000 Allied bombers hit the German defenses including the 503rd Heavy Tank Battalion.8 The bombardment was so strong that it lifted one of the Tigers into the air and landed upside down.8 It took three hours to rescue the three surviving crew members.8 Some crew members were driven insane and a few committed suicide rather than to continue under the bombardment.8 Even with those loses, the 503rd still knocked out 30 Sherman tanks and help halt the British armor.8
The End in Normandy
On August 8, 1944, the Allies were closing in on the town of Vire where the 1st Company of the 102nd SS Heavy Tank Battalion was located.8 SS-Untersharführer (Corporal) Willi Fey destroyed 14 out of 15 Shermans in a column.8 Other Tigers in the company added nine more to the score in one day.8
Falaise
Few of the 102nd SS Heavy Tank Battalion escaped Falaise, and none made it across the River Seine.8 The total score for the 102nd was 227 Allied tanks in the six weeks it operated in Normandy.8
Dwindling Numbers
The Tigers peaked in June 1944, with 631 vehicles in the field.8 This was reduced to 243 by December 1944 from all the heavy fighting on the fronts.8 During the Ardennes Offensive there were only 23 Tigers on the whole Western Front, and only 1 in the offensive.8 By April 1, 1945, there were only 70 Tigers and King Tigers operational in the German armed forces.8
Organization
Were organized into independent 3 company battalions with 30 tanks that would be attached to Army or Corp HQ.10 Guderian had intended that a battalion would be added to each Panzer division but only a few Army and most Waffen SS received them.
Seven Waffen SS Panzer divisions had them.9
It took 300,000 man hours to build one Tiger, whereas it took 1/2 that to build a Panther.
Bergepanzer Tiger Ausf E (Armored Recovery Vehicle), SdKfz 185:
Three were converted in 1944. Each had the main armament removed and the turret was locked facing reverse. Had winch installed to the rear of the turret.
Panzerbefehlspanzer Tiger, SdKfz 267:
Had Fu 5 and Fu 8 radio sets. Added umbrella antenna. Had coaxial MG removed.
Panzerbefehlspanzer Tiger, SdKfz 268:
Had Fu 5 and Fu 7 radio sets. Had coaxial MG removed.
Sturmmörser Tiger:
Had 380mm rocket mortar installed.
| PzKpfw VI E Tiger | |
|---|---|
| Crew | Commander, gunner, loader, driver, radio operator9 51,2,3,4,5,6,8,9,10,11 |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Weight | 121,250 lb6, 121,253 lb10, 125,500 lb 55 tons5, 56 tons1,8,9, 57 tons2,3,4,7, 62.8 tons11 55,000 kg6,10, 56,900 kg1 |
| Length w/gun | 27'6,8,10, 27' 8.675"1, 27' 9" 8.24 m6,8, 8.25 m2, 8.3 m10, 8.45 m1,3,4,7 |
| Length w/o gun | 20.7'5, 20.75'11, 20' 4"6,8, 20' 8.5", 20' 9"9, 22' 8" 6.2 m6,8, 6.9 m |
| Height | 9.3'10, 9' 3.75"6, 9' 4.75", 9.5'5,8,9,11, 9' 10"1 2.86 m6,8, 2.88 m2, 2.9 m10, 2.93 m4,7, 3 m1,3 |
| Width | 11.7'11, 12.45'5, 12' 3"6,8,9,10, 12' 5", 11' 3.8"1 3.55 m2, 3.56 m1, 3.7 m3,4,7,10, 3.73 m6,8, 3.8 m, Narrow tracks: 10' 4"8, 3.15 m8 |
| Width over tracks | |
| Ground clearance | 1' 5", 18.5"11 0.43 m, 0.47 m2,3 |
| Ground contact length | 158"11 3.61 m |
| Ground pressure | 10.5 psi, 11.3 psi11, 14.8 psi10 1 (kg/cm2)10, 1.04 (kg/cm2), 0.74 (kg/cm2)2,3 |
| Turret ring diameter | 6' 1" 179, 183 cm |
| Armament | |
| Main | 88 mm KwK 36 L/564,7,8,11,12 88 mm1,5 88 mm L/562,3 88 mm L/56.1 KwK369 88 mm KwK 366 88 mm KwK 36 L/36 (what source says)10 |
| Secondary | 6: NbK 39 90 mm smoke generators 6: smoke dischargers8 |
| MG | 2: 7.92 mm MG 34, coaxial, hull6,8,11 2 or 3: 7.92 mm MG1 2: MGs2,3,5 2: 7.92 mm MG344 2: 7.92 mm MG, coaxial, hull9,10 |
| Side arms | 9mm MP40 P38 or P08 pistols |
| Quantity | |
| Main | 846, 922,3,7,8,10,11,12 92 Pzgr4 Command vehicle: 667,12 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | 3,9208,11, 4,8002,3, 5,100, 5,700, 5,8506 4,800 Patr SmK Spgr4 |
| Side arms | |
| Armor Thickness (mm) | 25.4 - 11010, 26 - 1005 1009 Front: 4"11, 1007 Side: 3.15"11, 807 |
| Hull Front, Upper | 1002,3 102@20°, 100@10°4, 100@66°8 |
| Hull Front, Lower | 62@60° 100@24°4, 100@80°8 |
| Hull Sides, Upper | 82 60-802,3 80@0°4, 60-80@90°8 |
| Hull Sides, Lower | 62 60@0°4 |
| Hull Rear | 802,3 82@20°, 80@8°4, 82@82°8 |
| Hull Top | 252,3 25@90°4 |
| Hull Bottom | 252,3 25@90°4 |
| Turret Front | 4"11 100-1202,3 100@0°-11°, 100@8°4, 100-110@80°8 Mantlet: 100-110@0°4 |
| Turret Sides | 3.2"11 802,3, 82 80@0°4, 80@90°8 |
| Turret Rear | 802,3, 82 80@0°4, 80@90°8 |
| Turret Top | 252,3, 26 25@81°-90°4, 26@0-9°8 |
| Engine (Make / Model) | Maybach HL 210 P452,4,8,9,11, (1st 250 produced8) Maybach HL 230 P451,3,6,8,9,10, (Dec 1943 on, Dec 1942 on9) |
| Bore / stroke | |
| Cooling | Water10,11 |
| Cylinders | V-128,9,10,11 |
| Capacity | |
| Net HP | 6507 HL 210: 6428, 6509, 650@3,000 rpm11 HL 230: 7008,9, 700@3,000 rpm10 |
| Power to weight ratio | 12.9 hp/ton10 |
| Compression ratio | 6.8:111 |
| Transmission (Type) | Preselector, Maybach-Olvar 401216, 8 forward, 1 reverse Olvar preselective, 8 forward, 1 reverse11 8 forward, 4 reverse.2,3,4 |
| Steering | Henschel L 600 C regenerative type, wheel control with auxiliary levers11 |
| Steering ratio | |
| Starter | Electric and inertia11 |
| Electrical system | Starting: 12-volt11 Normal: 12-volt11 |
| Ignition | Magneto11 |
| Fuel (Type) | Gasoline8,11 |
| Octane | |
| Quantity | 118 gallons8, 141 gallons11, 150 gallons 534 liters8, 540 liters2,3, 567 liters Fuel comsumed per 100 km road traveled: 535 liters |
| Road consumption | 0.5 mpg11 |
| Cross country consumption | 0.3 mpg11 |
| Performance | |
| Traverse | 360°, hydraulic.4 (6°/sec) Hand and hydraulic11 |
| Max speed | 23 mph1,11, 23.5 mph5, 24 mph6,8,10, 25 mph 37 kph1, 38 kph4,6,7,8,10, 45.42,3 |
| Cross country speed | 5 to 10 mph, 12 mph10,11, 12.5 mph8 20 kph8,10 |
| Road radius | 62 miles6,8,10, 73 miles11, 87 miles, 121 miles1 100 km6,8,10, 140 km4, 195 km1,2,3 |
| Cross country radius | 37 miles8, 42 miles11 60 km8, 110 km2,3 |
| Turning radius | 23' 7 m2,3 |
| Elevation limits | -9° to +10°4 -6.5° to +17° |
| Fording depth | 13'11, 13' 6"8, 4.1 m8 (1st 495 produced8) 47"11, 4' 3' 11"6, 3.96 m (1st 495 produced) 1.2 m6, 1.6 m2,3 |
| Trench crossing | 5.9'10, 7.6'11, 10', 5' 11"6 1.8 m6,10 |
| Vertical obstacle | 2' 6", 31"11, 2' 7"6 0.79 m6 |
| Climbing ability | 35° (70%) slope11 |
| Suspension (Type) | Torsion bar11 |
| Wheels each side | 8 axles with 3 wheels each, 8x32, 8x23 |
| Return rollers each side | |
| Tracks (Type) | Dry pin11 |
| Length | |
| Width | 725 mm2,3 Battle tracks: 28.1"6, 28.5"11, 28.6", 715 mm6, 725 mm8 Travel tracks: 20.3"6, 20.5", 515 mm6, 520 mm8 |
| Diameter | |
| Number of links | 9411 |
| Pitch | 5.4"11 |
| Tire tread | Steel3 |
| Track centers/tread | 9.3'11 2.83 m |
| Production | Henschel, Wegmann.4 Chassis #s: 250001-2513574 8/1942-8/1944: 1,3506 7/1942-8/1944: 1,3544 Chassis: Henschel11 Turret: Krupp11 |
Sources:
- The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles - The Comprehensive Guide to Over 900 Armored Fighting Vehicles From 1915 to the Present Day, General Editor: Christopher F. Foss, 2002
- Panzer Truppen The Complete Guide to the Creation and Combat Employment of Germany's Tank Force 1933-1942, Thomas L. Jentz, 1996
- Panzer Truppen The Complete Guide to the Creation and Combat Employment of Germany's Tank Force 1943-1945, Thomas L. Jentz, 1996
- Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle, 1999
- Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
- The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
- Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
- German Tanks of World War II, Dr. S. Hart & Dr. R. Hart, 1998
- Tanks of World War II, Duncan Crow, 1979
- Battle Winning Tanks, Aircraft & Warships of World War II, David Miller, 2000
- Tank Data, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, 1968?
- New Vanguard 88 mm KwK 36/36/37/41 and PaK 43 1936-45, John Norris, 2002
