Tiger I

Digitally reproduced from original Army documents

Tiger I Pz. Kw. VI entered service with the German Armyin late 1942. Carrying one of the most successful guns, itwas feared wherever it saw action and its effects wereboth physical and psychological. With heavy armour itgained a high reputation for invulnerability, but as thesereports show, the Tiger I had faults and weaknesseswhich could be exploited. Built to carry a crew of 5 andthe 8.8 cm. gun, Tiger I was a major advance in tankdesign but only 1300+ were built, being rapidlyovertaken by new technologies.

In 1943 a Tiger I was captured intact after the crew bailedout but were unable to set the on-board demolitioncharge. Tests were carried out in North Africa and it wasthen shipped back to Britain for further examination.

These reports, which were never finished, give asubstantial analysis of the Tiger I and include fascinatingdetails of the vehicle in service, its capabilities, and thesophisticated engineering used. They include extracts ofthe interrogation of a German Tiger I crew after theircapture which give some insight into the problems theyfound in operating the tank.

The detailed studies made by the School of TankTechnology give extensive material for the researcher,historian, and modeller. The information ranges from thelevel of crew vision available, to the metallurgical analysisof the track pins. All the major assemblies are coveredwith even more detail for some of the unusual items suchas the inertia starter.

Contents• Preliminary Report No. 19 on PzKw VIModel H conducted in November 1943by the School of Tank Technology (STT).This brief report gives all the basicdetails which were rapidly produced.

• The more detailed STT report on PzKwVI (Tiger) Model H was produced as a‘part publication’ with new materialbeing added all the time as tests wereconducted. Initially produced in January1944 this report goes into considerabledetail on many, but not all, topics, as thefull reports were never completed. The8.8 cm. Gun, ammunition, stowage,fighting arrangements, and power plantare all covered.

• Two further reports give a detaileddescription of every major assemblycomplete with wiring diagrams,metallurgical analysis and a translationof the German maintenanceinstructions. One of these reports alsogives a short description of thedevelopment and production of Tiger I.

• Extracts from the interrogation of acaptured Tiger I crew.

• A translation of a report of a Tigerversus Josef Stalin action published inthe German “Bulletin for Tank Troops”.

The reports are in English. There are colour and many monochrome illustrations including vehicle stowagediagrams. Of particular interest is the account of a battle in Italy which resulted in the destruction of most of aSquadron of Tiger I tanks. Because of the poor and fragile condition of the original documents some of thesereports are verbatim transcriptions.

SPECIAL REPORTS