There’s not a lot to say about the PzKpfw VI, better known as “The Tiger”, that has not been said before… It is, quite simply, the most famous German tank of World War Two… Perhaps, the most famous tank ever and certainly the most popular and the most collected!!!

Given its ‘TIGER’ nickname by its designer Ferdinand Porsche it has been called ‘The most outstanding tank design of its time.’  That it most definitely was BUT it also had some mighty faults… It was over-engineered… it required considerably greater resources of materials and manpower to manufacture it and… its fuel consumption was staggering (at a time when German fuel production was actually dramatically decreasing).

Its heavy armour and mighty ’88 gun were indeed impressive… and did terrify its enemies both on the Eastern and Western Fronts… But its manufacturing cost and its requirement for specially-trained crews meant that it never had the full impact on the Allies that it might have had. Just 1,347 Tigers were actually built between August 1942 and August 1944. After that time production of the Tiger I was phased out in favour of the Tiger II, better known as the ‘King Tiger’.

That all being said its fighting reputation among its opponents spread far and wide and led, in some cases, to almost panic whenever it appeared on the battlefield.

By far the most famous commander and promoter of the ‘Tiger’ legend was a young Waffen SS officer called… Michael Wittmann.

By the winter of 1943, Michael Wittmann had already acquired plenty of battlefield experience with the relatively new Pz. Kpfw. VI “TIGER”.

During the Battle of KURSK in early July, 1943 the young platoon leader had destroyed dozens of Soviet tanks, self-propelled guns and even artillery pieces…  He also survived a collision with a burning Red Army tank!

By the Fall and Winter of 1943 he continued to add numerous ‘Kills’ to his tally and was recognized for his achievements by the ‘Top Brass’ with awards and presentations.

One particular ‘presentation’ was special that was when Wittmann and his crew were to meet Jochen Peiper, another noted and popular Waffen SS officer.

For Josef Goebel’s Propaganda Ministry this was a major event to be recorded for posterity… Two Nazi Heroes for the price of one!

These new releases capture the moment…