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A rare beast from World War
Two
is on display at The Tank Museum for the very
first time.
A second German King Tiger (Sd Kfz 182 Tiger
II) has been temporarily added to The Tank Museum's
collection, where it is on public display for
the first time since its capture in World War
Two.
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The once feared vehicle
has arrived at the Tank Museum from the Defence
Academy at Shrivenham in Wiltshire, where it
has been seen only by a select few.
Tank Museum spokesman Nik Wyness said; "This
King Tiger has been brought to the Museum ahead
of our Tankfest event on June 25th, where
it will line up amongst some of its German contemporaries.
Visitors will have an opportunity to take a close
look at this vehicle - which most people will
never have seen before."
The King Tiger was one of the largest Tanks to
see action with the German Army in World War Two.
It was introduced in 1944 and first saw action against
British and American troops in Normandy.
Mounting the massive 88mm gun, and heavily
armoured, it was a formidable opponent that
stuck fear into the Allied troops that faced it.
However, because less than 500 were produced
and it lacked mechanical reliability, its impact
was minimal. "Unlike the other Tiger II on
display at The Tank Museum, which never saw action,
this one has quite an interesting story behind it."
said Nik.
"This particular tank (Fgst Nr 280093)
was issued to SS Panzer Battalion 101 in the
summer of 1944 and served with 1 Kompanie.
On 29 August 1944 it was commanded by Obersharfuhrer
Franz, and was in action with British Sherman
tanks to the west of Magny-en-Vexin. It suffered
some track damage in this encounter but later left
the road for a beet field to shell a farmhouse.
At some point the driver made a violent swing and
damaged the final drive. The crew bailed out,
set off charges in an attempt to destroy the tank
before capture, and flee. Two of the crew were
subsequently killed by French Resistance Fighters.
"Next upon the scene is a Sherman tank of A
Squadron, 23rd Hussars, 11th Armoured Division
and, on the principle of rather being safe than
sorry its commander, Sergeant Roberts puts a
couple of rounds through the right side of the German
tank to finish it off."
The Tank remained in the field for some months,
before it was taken back to Britain for evaluation
by the Ministry of Defence, arriving in January
1945.
Nik said; "This King Tiger actually belongs
to The Tank Museum but it has been held by the
Defence Academy since then, where it has been used
for teaching purposes. We hope that we are
able to keep hold of this historically important
vehicle, as it would be of great benefit to put
in on permanent public display." |
| ENDS |
![[image] The King Tiger arrives at The Tank Museum](images/new-images/6988_064.jpg)
The King Tiger arrives at The Tank Museum
Tank Museum photo No. 6988-064 |
![[image] The King Tiger where it was abandoned in 1944](images/new-images/1323_b_3.jpg)
The King Tiger where it was abandoned in
1944
Tank Museum photo No. 1323/B/3 |
![[image] The King Tiger having arrived for evaluation](images/new-images/2401_b_5.jpg)
The King Tiger having arrived for evaluation
Tank Museum photo No. 2401/B/5 |
![[image] A rear shot of the King Tiger as it is today.](images/new-images/6988_011.jpg)
A rear shot of the King Tiger as it is today.
Tank Museum photo No. 6988-011 |
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Numbered
photos can be bought from the
Tank Museum Shop
(please note down the number of the photos
you are interested in) |
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