A Tiger I halted on a road during operations in Italy. Two crew members can be seen standing next to their machine. The tank has track links attached to the turret sides for additional protection.
On 10 July 1943 a combined Allied invasion of Sicily began with amphibious and airborne landings in the Gulf of Gela. Land forces comprised the US Seventh Army and the British Eighth Army. The intended plan was for a drive by the British northwards along the east coast to Messina, with the Americans in a supporting role along their left flank.
Sicily was defended by about 200,000 Italian, 32,000 German and 30,000 Luftwaffe ground troops. The main German formations were the Panzer Division Herman Göring and the 15th Panzergrenadier Division. The Panzer Division had 99 tanks in two battalions, but was short of infantry, while the 15th Panzergrenadier Division had three grenadier regiments and a tank battalion with sixty tanks.
Attached to Panzer Division Herman Göring were seventeen Tigers under the 2.Kompanie of Schwere Heeres Panzer Abteilung 504. When the Americans arrived in their landing zone on 11 July they were met by heavy attacks from the 504. Fighting was vicious and in three days ten of the seventeen Tigers were destroyed. To prevent complete destruction, 504 withdrew and sent the last Tigers back across the Straits of Messina to Italy.
The departure of the 504 meant Axis forces making a full-scale withdrawal from the island, but in spite of the overwhelming strength of the Allies, the evacuation proved highly successful.
Meanwhile on the Eastern Front, the situation had become stabilized. Although many parts of the Russian Front had stagnated, in the south German forces were making steady progress. Kharkov had been recaptured in March 1943, and the central front was steadily building up reserves.
This German success brought renewed confidence to German High Command, and prompted Hitler to plan for a major offensive in the centre and south. Already the Panzerwaffe had been building up strength and by early summer fielded some twenty-four divisions on the Eastern Front. This was a staggering transformation. Hitler now intended to risk his precious Panzerwaffe in what became the largest tank battle of the war, known as Operation Citadel, around the city of Kursk.
To support ‘Zitadelle’ there would be a host of new up-gunned and up-armoured panzers and panzerjägers (tank hunters). By June, twenty-one Panzer divisions, including four Waffen-SS divisions and two Panzergrenadier divisions, were being prepared for Zitadelle in the Kursk salient. By early July there were seventeen divisions and two brigades with no less than 1,715 Panzers and 147 Sturmgeschütz III (StuG) assault guns. Each division averaged some ninety-eight Panzers and selfpropelled anti-tank guns. At this time the new Pz.Kpfw.V ‘Panther’ Ausf.A, despite production problems, made its debut.
Supporting the main armoured punch through Kursk, and what would become the backbone of the Panzerwaffe during the offensive, was the Tiger tank. For this battle Schwere Heeres Panzer Abteilung 505 was deployed for action. This was the last independent Tiger tank battalion, formed in February 1943, comprising several Tigers and twenty-five Pz.Kpfw.IIIs. The 505 was deployed in Army Group Centre in April and upgraded for the offensive to eleven Tigers.
Despite the Panzerwaffe’s impressive array of firepower for Kursk, there was still an acute shortage of infantry, which was to lead to panzer units taking on more ambitious tasks normally reserved for soldiers. To make matters worse, by the time the final date had been set for the attack as 4 July, the Red Army knew the German plans and had made their preparations. For three months there had been extensive building and various other preparations to counter the German attack. Russian commanders knew exactly the strategic focal point of the German attack. The Panzerwaffe were determined to use their tried and tested Blitzkrieg tactics, but the immense preparations that had gone into constructing the Soviet defences meant that this was never going to succeed.
When the attack was finally put into motion before dawn on 5 July 1943, the Germans were stunned by the dogged defence of the Soviet forces. The two heavy Tiger tank battalions (503rd and 505th), with one battalion each on the northern (505th) and southern (503rd) flanks, found the enemy defensive positions far stronger than first predicted. Yet, in spite of the resistance, the 503rd and 505th only lost four Tigers each during the Kursk offensive. The 503rd had a full complement of forty-five Tigers for Kursk which included twenty-four brand new Tigers that it had received in April of that year.
Apart from the two heavy Tiger tank battalions at Kursk the 13.Kompanie/Panzer Regiment Grossdeutschland, which was formed from Panzer Regiment Grossdeutschland in January 1943, also received fifteen operational Tigers, and none of these Tigers were lost in the battle.
Other Tigers to see action in the offensive were to be found in the Waffen-SS, notably the 1.SS-Panzer Korps. At the start of the battle thirty-five of them were made operational.
However, as the battle progressed losses mounted and eventually the Wehrmacht were forced to take their first painful steps of retreat back to the German frontier. The Russians had managed to destroy no less than thirty divisions, seven of which were panzer. German reinforcements were insufficient to replace the staggering losses, so they fought on under-strength until Hitler pulled them out of the line to avoid complete annihilation. The German forces at Kursk had borne the brunt of the heaviest Soviet drive. The Russian Voronezh and Steppe fronts had possessed massive local superiority against everything the Germans could field.
July to December 1943 saw the Tiger tank battalions grow in size. Over the next five months the 503rd, 505th, 506th, 507th, 508th and 509th heavy Tiger tank battalions all received additional Tigers on the Eastern Front. The 503rd received twelve replacement Tigers in August, the 505th had its first five shipped on 23 September, the 506th became the first independent battalion to be created with an original complement of forty-five Tigers which it received in August, the 507th, which was formed on 23 September 1943, was also equipped with Tigers but did not have a full complement of forty-five until late December/early 1944. The 508th was another battalion to receive forty-five Tigers in late December but was withdrawn and ordered to Italy to defend Anzio. The 509th was another new Tiger tank battalion formed in September and this also received a full complement of forty-five Tigers. The battalion began arriving on the Eastern Front on 28 October.
Supporting the battalions were the independent units such as Schwere Panzer Kompanie (FKL) 316 which was issued with ten Tigers in September. The III Abteilung/Panzer Regiment Großdeutschland also boasted an entire heavy tank battalion of three companies with forty-five Tigers, which was created for the Panzergrenadier Großdeutschland. Its first company of Tigers was provided by the old 13.Kompanie which had fought at Kursk. By the end of August the battalion was at the front embroiled in heavy fighting in the Ukraine.
On 19 July I.SS-Panzer Korps, which had seen action at Kursk, received a heavy Tiger tank battalion, Schwere SS-Panzer Abteilung 101. This comprised two new heavy companies created from 13.Kompanie of the SS-Panzer Regiment 1. However, this heavy battalion was pulled out of Russia in response to the Allied landings in Sicily. Another heavy Tiger tank battalion also made its debut in the second half of 1943, Schwere SS-Panzer Abteilung 102. This was created in October and each of the heavy tank battalions would be attached to a Corps of the Waffen-SS. Originally, each heavy tank battalion was composed of a single company of Tiger Is, attached to each respective SS Panzer Division in the Panzerkorps.
The last heavy tank battalion that operated in the Waffen-SS and was created in July was Schwere SS-Panzer Abteilung 103. This did not see action properly on the Eastern front until the following year with parts of its battalion sent to Yugoslavia to fight as infantry in later 1943.
A Tiger I halted on a road during operations in Italy. Two crew members can be seen standing next to their machine. The tank has track links attached to the turret sides for additional protection.
A Tiger from Schwere Panzer Abteilung 504 rolling through a Sicilian town during defensive operations in 1943. The battalion was attached to the Panzer Division Herman Göring and comprised seventeen Tigers under the 2.Kompanie. When the Americans arrived in their landing zone on 11 July they met with heavy attacks from the 504. Over the course of three days ten of the seventeen Tigers were destroyed.
On a road during defensive operations in Italy are three Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.Gs with a stationary support vehicle. Pz.Kpfw.IVs, especially during the latter part of the war, were often found in Tiger battalions or ad hoc units fighting in a supporting role.
Two stationary Tiger tanks can be seen with German infantry during operations in Italy. Track links are bolted to the turret sides. One vehicle has received an application of tropical camouflage. As in North Africa, during the Italian campaign many vehicles were given sand colour schemes, almost identical to those used in the Afrika Korps. In Italy the terrain could be very similar, and for that reason the vehicles were completed in the tropical colours of yellow brown RAL 8000, grey green RAL 7008, or brown RAL 8017.
Tiger tanks have been loaded on board special flatbed trains destined for the front lines. Some 1,350 Tiger Is were manufactured during the war. They only ever served in dedicated heavy tank detachments that were deployed at corps or army level.
A column of Tigers advance along a road during a withdrawal operation. To prevent complete destruction, Schwere Panzer Abteilung 504 was ordered to withdraw and its units were sent across the Straits of Messina to Italy.
A knocked-out Tiger from Schwere Panzer Abteilung 504 during the Sicilian campaign in July 1943. This battalion was equipped with seventeen Tiger Is and was assigned to Panzer-Division ‘Herman Göring’ on 9 July. Ten Tigers were lost during the first three days of fighting and over the following weeks the unit was pushed back towards Messina where during the nights of 10 and 11 August the remaining armoured vehicles and one Tiger were ferried across to mainland Italy.
A Tiger I belonging to Abteilung 508. This Tiger was modified with a rig cable of placing charges. This was to increase the local defence of the tank. The Tiger was photographed near Anzio bridgehead and more than likely had been knocked out of action.
Many of the Axis nations were keen to obtain Tiger tanks. In this photograph a Japanese officer inspects a Tiger I. Note the Zimmerit anti-magnetic mine paste on the armoured sides.
This photograph was taken at the Henschel Works in Kassel in July 1943 and shows a Tiger being put through its paces in a demonstration for two Japanese officers.
An interesting set of five photographs showing the Panzer ace General Heinz Guderian inspecting a Tiger I in 1943, accompanied by Waffen-SS officers. These Tiger Is are early versions with the drum cupola. The insignia of the ‘Leibstandarte’ Schwere SS-Panzer Abteilung 101 can be seen on the front left of the Tiger in one of the photos.
A Tiger I belonging to Abteilung 503 during field exercises in 1943. The battalion saw extensive combat in Army Group Don in early 1943 and served with a number of divisions of the 4th Panzer Army where it was tasked with securing the withdrawal of Army Group A. The unit took part in March 1943 in the third battle for Kharkov and then received a full complement of forty-five Tigers in May in preparation for the Kursk offensive.
Panzergrenadiers dressed in their familiar Waffen-SS camouflaged smocks support Tiger tanks of the ‘Das Reich’ division during the initial stages of the Kursk offensive in July 1943.
A photograph showing late production Tiger Is belonging to III Abteilung, Panzerregiment ‘Großdeutschland’. These vehicles have been loaded onto SSYMS railroad flatbed cars. The photo contains a gantry crane in its folded retracted travel position. This crane was essential for the removal of the Tiger’s turret for maintenance and also so that the transmission drive unit could be lifted out through the turret ring.
A Tiger halted in a field next to a group of Waffen-SS infantry in a slit trench overlooking a position. Note the national flag draped on the turret of the tank for aerial recognition.
Pz.Kpfw.IVs and a Pz.Kpfw.III are on the advance with other armoured vehicles including motorcycles in July 1943.
A Tiger during operations at Kursk in July 1943. For the offensive two heavy Tiger tank battalions (503rd and 505th) were deployed for action. The 503rd had a full complement of forty-five Tigers for Kursk including twenty-four brand new Tigers that it had received in April of that year. Supporting the attack was the 13.Kompanie/Panzer Regiment ‘Großdeutschland’ which received fifteen operational Tigers for the battle; none of these Tigers were lost.
A Tiger tank belonging to Schwere Panzer Abteilung 503 during operations in July 1943. This early production vehicle clearly shows the candle smoke dischargers attached to the turret sides. Its tactical number 211 is painted in red with a white outline.
A Tiger during the start of the Kursk offensive advancing through the maze of intricate defensive enemy positions.
A Waffen-SS Tiger tank with supporting SS grenadiers in a field during the Kursk offensive in July 1943. Despite the Germans’ impressive array of firepower for Kursk, there was still an acute shortage of infantry which was to lead to panzer units, notably the Tiger, taking on more ambitious tasks normally the preserve of soldiers.
Two maintenance men can be seen using a steel wrench to remove a Tiger’s tracks to repair its wheels. This Tiger belongs to Abteilung 503.
Three late production Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.Ms negotiating a typical muddy Russian road following a downpour in the summer of 1943. These tanks were equipped with the long 5cm gun, 20mm hull and turret side skirts, and the deep-wading exhaust pipe system for river crossings.
Showing the 2cm FlaK 38 quadruple mount in action. This gun could produce a hurricane of fire, being able to discharge 1,800 rounds per minute from its four barrels. It had two operators: one fired the top left and bottom right guns, the other fired the top right and bottom left guns. The loader could quickly change the magazines while the other continued to fire.
A Russian peasant can be seen next to an early production Tiger tank which is appears to be undergoing some maintenance while using the house as cover.
This photograph of a halted Tiger gives an excellent view of the port-hole containing the MG34 machine gun, and the slit visor for the driver.
Two photographs taken in sequence depicting Tiger tanks that were to be transferred to Schwere Panzer Abteilung 502 during a training exercise in France. This heavy battalion was formed during the summer of 1942 and was the first unit to see action on the Eastern Front around Leningrad in August 1942. It went on to see further action in Russia and saw engagements through 1943 around Lake Ladoga and the Newel area near Belarus. It later covered retreating German forces from the Leningrad area in late 1943.
Another vehicle used in Tiger tank battalions was the versatile amphibious four-wheel-drive offroader known as the Schwimmwagen. In this photograph Waffen-SS soldiers can be seen driving it, armed with a mounted MG42 machine gun.
A Tiger I belonging to the Schwere Panzer Abteilung 503 in a field during a fire mission against enemy targets in 1943.
Two crew members can be seen sitting on the roof of a Pz.Kpfw.IV during its transportation by flat-bed railcar to the front.
Two Pz.Kpfw.IIIs Ausf.M on the advance through a Russian village. It was intended that for the Tigers to be able to fight on the offensive during breakthrough operations they would be supported by either medium Pz.Kpfw.III or reconnaissance vehicles.
This image depicts the major modifications needed to keep the old Pz.Kpfw.IV in combat service for so long. This Ausf.H variant has hull side plates and turret sides protecting it. The Pz.Kpfw.IV saw extensive service in the heavy Tiger tank battalions throughout the war and became a major reason for the Tiger’s longevity.
An interesting photograph showing a mid-production Tiger I with the new improved cast commander’s cupola. The vehicle has clearly been knocked out of action and belonged to Schwere Panzer Abteilung 509. Note the passing Russian horse-drawn 76.2mm Infantry Gun Model 1927.
A maintenance crew are repairing a damaged track on a Tiger I, possibly from Schwere Panzer Abteilung 502 on the Eastern Front. Note some of the road wheels have been removed and the hull of the Tiger blocked up with wood beams to replace them. Note the Fieseler Storch nearby, which has dropped in to see how repairs are progressing.
The crew of a Tiger I pose for the camera standing next to their tank during a halt in their march in 1943. Note the vegetation attached to the side of the vehicle for camouflage.
The crew of a Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.M have halted in a field during operations on the Eastern Front. This variant was fitted with spaced armoured skirts or Schürzen: armour plating installed around the turret and on the hull sides.
A photograph taken at the rear of a Tiger I during operations at Kursk. This tank belonged to one of the three Waffen-SS heavy tank companies. Note the spare track links and the crew’s helmets and water bottles slung around the turret sides. The national flag has been draped over the turret roof for aerial recognition.
During operations in 1943 and the flak crew can be seen with their 2cm Flakvierling 38 quadruple self-propelled flak gun. The gun is mounted on the back of an Sd.Kfz.10/4, which was widely used with a variety of flak guns. These weapons often supported heavy Tiger tank battalions from potential ground and aerial attacks.
Tiger tank belonging to Abteilung 503 negotiates a ridge during operations in 1943. Some officers and other ranks can be identified in the field watching the manoeuvres.
A maintenance crew are seen repairing a Tiger I. Note that some of the road wheels have been removed and the hull of the Tiger blocked up with wood beams to replace them.
Two excellent photographs showing a Tiger tank and crew belonging to Schwere Panzer Abteilung 505 in Orsha. Note the Tiger tank battalion marking of a knight on a horse stencilled in black on the turret side indicating it belongs to the 505.
A crewmember poses for the camera standing on top of his Tiger during a lull in the action in 1943. This vehicle belongs to Schwere Panzer Abteilung 502, which participated extensively in various engagements on the Eastern Front during 1943 and 1944.
A Tiger tank can be seen passing a burnt-out building. The vehicle has its muzzle brake protected by canvas sheeting indicating the tank is not battle-ready.
Pz.Kpfw.IV and Tiger crews have a group photograph during a lull in fighting on the Eastern Front. All are wearing their distinctive black panzer uniforms.
An interesting and rare chance to see a Tiger tank belonging to Schwere Panzer Kompanie SS Panzer-Regiment 2 ‘Das Reich’ during a halt in their march on the Eastern Front. The vehicle is sitting exposed in a field with its barrel at the six o’clock position.
A mid-production Tiger during winter operations on the Eastern Front. The vehicle has received an application of winter camouflage paint. Note the ditching log attached to the tank and cable used to change tracks, which are both stored on the superstructure side plate.
A Tiger I rolls along a Russian road during the late winter of 1943. For a Tiger tank a hard frost was much easier going than rain or thaw. Even after the failed Kursk offensive, winter operations that year still saw heavy Tiger tank battalions demonstrating their awesome killing power on the battlefield. Between late July and December 1943 the 503rd, 505th, 506th, 507th, 508th and 509th heavy tank battalions all received additional Tiger tanks to support their efforts on the Eastern Front.
A close-up view of a mid-production Tiger I on the Eastern Front in late 1943. Note the Zimmerit antimagnetic paste over the vehicle and barbed wire attached to the armoured sides to discourage infantry attackers.
In a snowy field in late 1943 on the Eastern Front is a Pz.Kpfw.III command vehicle operating, complete with antennae. In the distance a battery of what appears to be a column of Wespen are on the advance. The Wespe by late 1943 had become a popular vehicle; it was armed with a 10.5cm leFH 18/2 L/28 gun and protected by a lightly armoured superstructure mounted on the chassis of a Pz.Kpfw.II. They served in numerous armoured artillery battalions, but because of their light armour many were lost in battle.
Tiger tank crews wearing reversible jackets white side out converse during winter operations in late 1943. A Tiger I with a complete application of whitewash camouflage paint stands on a road.