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Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausf e (Tiger I)

German Tanks of World War II

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PzKpfw VI Ausf e Tiger Tank

In 1941 the German army launched Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of Russia. The panzers were let loose on an ill prepared enemy, and achieved unprecedented success. The panzer divisions at that time were comprised mainly of light and medium tanks, the heaviest being the panzer IV with a short, low velocity 7.5cm gun. At first the panzers had everything their own way, dominating the battle, but reports began to arrive about two soviet tanks that were much superior to anything that the German army then possessed.

The tanks in question were in fact the KV1 heavy tank and the T34 medium tank. The German armoured troops were able to deal with them by applying superior tactics and communications, but never the less the T34 and KV1 were a serious problem for them.

T34 Medium tank

In 1937 the German Army weapons branch issued a specification to Henschel for a heavy tank weighing between 30-33 tons. It was intended to fulfil the role of 'infantry close support' and was to mount the same short 7.5cm howitzer as the Panzer IV. Trails began in 1941 at which time the weapons branch altered the specification by changing the main weapon to the longer version of the 7.5cm gun. At the same time Porsche, MAN and Daimler-Benz were invited to tender. This new tank was known as VK3001. Prototypes were produced by October 1941 but by this time the T34 and KV1 had appeared and consequently all these designs were scrapped.

At the same time as the order was issued for the VK3001, Hitler himself had issued an order for the design of a tank weighing approximately 36 tons mounting a high velocity gun and having thick armour, known as VK3601. Before any of these could be completed an order was issued for another vehicle (VK4501) mounting the 8.8cm FlaK 36 gun. The order demanded that the prototypes were to be demonstrated before Hitler on his birthday on 20th April 1942.

    The 8.8cm FlaK 36 anti-aircraft gun.

Both Porsche and Henschel managed to produce prototypes that were shown to Hitler on his birthday as ordered. The Henschel model was considered to be the best and subsequently went into production as Sdkfz 181 PzKpfw VI Ausf H (later changed to Ausf e), known simply as the Tiger tank.

Production lasted for two years between August 1942 and August 1944 resulting in 1,355 being built. The Tiger tank was a costly vehicle to build but it's size, thick armour and 8.8cm gun meant that it could totally outclass anything that the allies could put onto the field.

Hitler was impatient to use the new vehicle and consequently small numbers were committed to battle in totally unsuitable terrain. The first engagement was near Leningrad where a platoon of four Tigers were unsuccessful in their attempt to break the Russian defences, breaking down in the process.

Despite early setbacks and some design faults the Tiger went on to become probably the most feared tank of the Second World War and enjoyed a highly successful battle record.